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FRONTISPIECE. 


JAMES  MANNERS, 

LITTLE  JOHN, 


AND    THEIR 

DOG  BLUFF. 


• Dogs  are  honeft  creatures, 

Ne'er  betray  their  mailers, 

Nor  fawn  on  thofe  they  love  not. 


ELIZABETH  HELME,  JUN. 


— — • -rfir'ftfltrctr — 

SECOND  EDIT1  ON. 


LONDON: 
PRINTED    FOR    THE    PROPRIETORS; 

AND    SOLD    BY    DARTON    AND    HARVEY,    GRACE- 
CHURCH    STREET;    ANl>    E.    NEWBERY, 
ST.  PAUL'S  CHURCH  YARD. 

1801. 


AN  writing  the  following  fheets,  I  have  en- 
deavoured  to  delineate  the  ill  efiefts  of  falfe 
indulgence,  by  which  all  due  refpecl:  to  pa- 
rents is  deftroyed,  and  children  led  to  confider 
themfelves  as  thej£r/?  objeft,  become  difcon- 
tent  with  every  thing  around  them,  trouble- 
fome  to  others,  and  wearifome  to  themfelves. 
As  their  years  increafe,  the  evil  becomes  more 
ferious,  for,  being  accuftomed  to  unlimited 
gratification,  they  rum,  with  the  warmth  and 
inexperience  of  youth,  into  the  vortex  of  vice 
and  folly,  which  is  ever  ready  to  overwhelm 
the  imprudent  and  unwary.  Yet,  however 
plunged  in  error,  I  have  wifhed  to  inculcate, 
that  an  exertion  to  return  to  virtue  is  praife- 

worthy, 


IV  PREFACE. 

worthy,  and  mud,  if  perfevered  in,  be  crown* 
ed  with  fuccefs. 

In  humble  life,  in  the  character  of  John, 
I  have  made  the  contraft:  educated  under 
proper  fubordination,  he  is  fatisfied  with  all 
around  him,  a  comfort  to  his  parents,  and  an 
honour  to  fociety ;  for,  as  riches  cannot  make 
a  man  refpt&ablt  who  is  deflitute  of  virtue,  fo 
neither  can  poverty  degrade  a  truly  upright 
mind. 


JAMES 


JAMES    MANNERS, 
c.  &c. 


CHAPTER  I. 

IN  a  diftant  part  of  England  dwelt 
Sir  James  Manners,  a  gentleman 
more  diftinguifhed  for  his  wealth 
than  for  any  aftive  virtues  he  had 
to  recommend  him :  near  to  him 
refided  honed  Richard  Sutton,  a 
poor  farmer,  for  furely  he  may  be 
termed  fo,  who  only  rented  land  to 
the  yearly  value  of  twenty  pounds ; 
yet  when  the  peace  and  content 
B  which 


2  JAMES    MANNERS. 

which  he  enjoyed  are  thrown  into 
the  fcale,  he  was  a  much  richer 
man  than  his  neighbour. 

The  good  qualities  of  Lady 
Manners  (for  Sir  John  was  mar- 
ried) were  merely  nominal ;  {he 
was  a  tolerable  wife,  a  tolerable 
miftrefs,  a  tolerable  houfewife;  and 
to  complete  all,  was  tolerably  good 
to  the  poor;  that  is,  me  relieved 
them  with  a  few  pence,  and  order- 
ed them  to  quit  the  parifh,  under 
pain  of  punifhment ;  whereas,  had 
they  been  employed  on  Sir  John's 
eftate,  which  had  ample  room  for 
improvement,  it  might,  perhaps, 
not  only  have  enriched  him,  but 
alfo  much  benefited  the  parifli ; 
for  induftrious  inhabitants  muft  in- 
dubitably 


JAMES    MANNERS.  3 

dubitably  render  the  fpot  where 
they  dwell  wealthy. 

As  Mary  Sutton  (for  Richard 
was  likewife  married)  was  a  per- 
fonable  woman,  and  happened  to 
lie  in  a  fortnight  before  Lady 
Manners,  {he  was  chofen  to  wet- 
nurfe  the  child;  a  ftep  to  which 
Richard  confented  with  fome  dif- 
ficulty, yet  he  would  not  fuffer  her 
to  wean  her  owto;  faying,  that 
though  Sir  James  had  not  influ- 
ence enough  to  make  his  wife  do 
her  duty,  he  regarded  himfelf  fo 
far  a  party,  as  to  infill  on  his  wife 
fulfilling  her's\  and  which,  as  {! 
was  in  good  health,  (lie  made  no 
difficulty  of  complying  with. 

Lady  Manners  was  fo  well  fatis- 


4  JAMES    MAXNERS. 

fied  with  Mary  Sutton's  care,  that 
James  was  not  taken  home  when 
he  was  weaned,  but  continued  at 
the  farm  to  be  nurfed. 

Nothing  material  occurred  till 
the  lads  attained  their  fourth  year, 
both  flout  and  hearty  ;  though 
Mafter  James  was  far  from  being 
fo  orderly  a  child  as  John,  for, 
being  accuflomed  to  be  gratified  in 
all  his  whims,  he  could  not  endure 
the  leafl  contradiction,  his  mother 
having  ordered  that  he  fhould  not 
be  vexed  on  any  account. 

Little  John,  on  the  contrary, 
was  by  his  father  kept  under  that 
proper  fubordination,  fo  effential  to 
his  future  happinefs.  "  You  are  no 
gentleman,  however/'  faid  Richard 

Sutton, 


JAMES    MANNERS.  5 

Sutton,  one  day  when  he  reproved 
him  for  fomething  he  had  done 
wrong ;  "  and  if  you  do  it  again, 
I  fhall  certainly  correft  you ;  I  will 
bring  you  up  to  keep  your  paffions 
in  order,  for  it  is  not  for  poor  folks 
to  let  them  get  the  upper  hand ; 
and,  with  all  due  fubmiflion  to 
Lady  Manners,  if  (he  were  to  think 
a  little  in  the  fame  way,  it  would 
iiot  be  much  amifs,  for  her  falfe 
tendernefs  may  hereafter  prove  a 
fcourge  for  her  folly. 

Richard  Sutton  not  only  gave 
his  fon  good  advice,  but  fet  him  a 
good  example,  and  gave  him  as 
good  an  education  as  moft  farmers* 
fons* 

*  3  CHAPTER 


JAMES'  MANNERS. 


CHAPTER  II. 

SHORTLY  after  James  was  four 
years  old,  he  was  taken  home  to 
the  manfion.  His  diet  at  the  farm 
had  been  wholefome  and  invigo- 
rating, at  home  his  appetite  was 
pampered,  and  his  conftitution 
enervated;  he  cried  for fweetmeats 
until  they  cloyed  his  ftomach,  and 
made  his  teeth  ache;  and  then  cri- 
ed from  pain,  which  prevented  his 
fleeping.  In  his  ftudies  he  was, 
however,  a  good  boy;  and,  no 
doubt,  had  his  education  been  un- 
der proper  reftraint,  he  would  have 
grown  up  a  virtuous  man :  but 

ac- 


JAMES    MANNERS.  7 

accuftomed  to  command  his  ut> 
moft  wifhes,  he  knew  no  control, 
and  would,  when  fatigued  with 
his  amufements,  fit  down  and 
weep  that  he  could  not  devife  new 
ones, 

One  day,  when  he  was  about 
eight  years  old,  having  played  at 
ball,  on  the  green,  till  he  was 
weary,  he  began  crying,  at  which 
moment  little  John  came  by; 
"  What's  the  matter,"  faid  the  ho- 
neft  lad  ;  "  has  any  of  the  big  boys 
ufed  you  ill?  if  they  have,  tell  me  ; 
I  am  ftronger  than  you,  and  will 
make  them  remember 'it/' 

"  No,  no/'  faid  James ;  "  no  one 
has  hurt  me,  but  I  am  fo  tked,  and 
the  weather  is  fo  hot,,  that  I  do  not 

know 


JAMES    MANNERS. 

know  what  to  do  with  myfelf;  I 
wifh  it  were  always  winter." 

"  Always  winter!"  repeated  John 
with  aftoniftiment,  "  what  would 
become  of  us  if  it  were? — why  we 
fhould  have  no  corn  for  bread,  no 
hay  for  the  cattle,  no  apples  for 
cyder,  nor  any  vegetables  for  our 
dinners.  I  wonder,  Matter  James, 
you  can  be  fo  wicked! — How  kind 
is  Providence  to  fend  us  fuch  b,eau- 
tiful  weather,  that  brings  eveyy 
thing  to  perfeftion,  and  how  tri- 
vial the  inconvenience  of  a  little 
heat  to  the  many  bleflings  it  fpreads 
arounds  us ! " 

James,  afhamed  to  be  thus  re- 
buked by  a  poor  lad,  who  had  no 
education  but  what  the  village 

fohool 


JAMES    MANNERS.  g 

fchool  could  beftow,  had  however 
too  much  good  nature  and  friend- 
(hip  for  his  fofter-brother  to  anfwer 
petulantly,  and  therefore  replied, 
"  I  don't  mean  that,  for  all  I  faid 
it  in  a  pet,  for  I  hate  winter,  for 
then  one  can't  ftir  abroad  without 
the  coach,  and  I  would  as  foon 
ftay  at  home." 

"  Stay  at  home!  for  why?"  faid 
John ;  (f  the  coach,  I  think,  muft  be 
very  fine;  but,  as  you  fay,  I  think 
I  mould  rather  walk,  becaufe  I 
don't  like  to  be  mewed  up  in  fuch 
a  clofe  place :  then,  if  Sir  James 
were  to  buy  you  fuch  a  nice,  thick 
pair  of  (hoes  as  father  bought  me 
la  ft  winter,  you  need  not  mind  the 
fnow  and  rain  a  farthing  :  befides, 

when 


1O  JAMES    MANNERS. 

when  you  remember,  that  rain  pre- 
pares the  earth  for  feed,  the  froft  pre- 
vents it's  too  quick  growth,  and  the 
fnow  keeps  it  warm;  I'm  fure  you 
muft  like  it  as  well  as  I  do.  Be- 
fides,  when  it  is  frofty,  you  need 
only  walk  the  fafter;  or  when  it 
rains,  as  you  are  tender,  dry  your 
coat,  and  there  is  no  harm  done ; 
for  my  part,  it  never  hurts  me, 
but  makes  me  as  hungry  as  a  hun- 
ter." 

"  It  is  well  for  you,"  faid  James ; 
<s  for  my  part,  I  have.no  appetite, 
and  nothing  at  our  houfe  taftes 
nice:  we  had  ten  dimes  to-day,  for 
I  dine  with  mamma,  and  though  I 
tafted  all,  I  could  not  make  a  meal 
of  one." 

"Ten 


JAMES     MANNERS.  11 

"Ten  difhes ! "  replied  Jack,  with 
aftonifhment ;  "  fure  you  had  the 
Lord  Mayor,  from  London,  to 
dine  with  you,  and,  perhaps,  was 
afhamed  to  eat  before  him.  I  wifh 
you  had  come  to  father's,  we  had 
a  nice  piece  of  fat  bacon  and  cab- 
bage, and  yeaft  dumplins;  if  you 
will  go  home  with  me,  I  dare  fay 
there  is  fome  left  in  the  cupboard/' 

James  felt  no  inclination  to  ac- 
cept this  kind  invitation,  but  re- 
fufed,  faying,  he  was  fo  tired,  he 
would  return  home,  and  go  to 
bed. 

How  finking  a  difference  had 
education  made  between  thefe  two 
boys!  Though  both  were  natural- 
ly good,  affluence  and  indulgence 

had 


12  JAMES    MANNERS. 

had  rendered  the  one  uncomforta- 
ble to  himfelf,  and  difagreeable  to 
others,  for  he  was  never  fatisfied ; 
he  eat  of  various  dimes,  until  the 
mixture  made  him  fick,  and  play- 
ed until  what  was  meant  for  amtafe- 
ment  became  a  fatigue.,  and  fup- 
pofed  that  even  the  feafons  mould 
be  fubfervient  to  his  caprice.  The 
fummer  vexed  him  with  its  heat, 
the  winter  with  its  cold,  regardiefs 
of  the  goodnefs  and  wifdom  of  the 
Almighty,  in  the  diftribution  of 
both. 

Not  fo  John  Sutton :  his  father's 
table  could  indeed  boaft  but  little 
variety,  yet  temperance,  joined 
with  exercife,  procured  him  an  ex- 
cellent appetite.  During  the  day 
2  he 


JAMES    MANNERS.  13 

he  was  constantly  at  fchool  ;  play, 
in  the  evening,  was  therefore  a 
proper  relaxation,  and  Sufficient  to 
amufe  without  fatigue.  Like  his 
father,  he  was  contented ;  for  chil- 
dren naturally  imbibe  the  opinions 
of  their  parents ;  and  for  the  mere 
inconvenience  occafioned  by  either 
heat  or  cold,  he  never  conceived 
himfelf  material  enough  in  the  great 
fcale  of  creation  to  be  confidered. 


CHAPTER 


14  JAMES     MANNERS. 


CHAPTER  III. 

JL  HE  only  relation  James  poffef- 
fed,  who  would  have  educated  him 
properly,  was  an  uncle,  who  open- 
ly found  fault  with  the  manner  in 
which,  he  was  fuffered  to  aft.  "  Let 
him  rife,"  laid  Captain  Manners, 
"  at  fix,  and  ride  or  walk  until 
eight,  and  he  will  return  with  an 
appetite,  I  warrant  you ;  then  give 
him  an  hour  to  breakfaft,  and  ex- 
ercife  with  his  friends ;  let  from 
nine  till  half  after  one  be  devoted 
to  learning,  at  which  tiine  let  him 
dine;  and  after  fome  (hort .recrea- 
tion within  doors,  return  to  his 

ftudies, 


JAMES    MANNERS.  15 

ftudies,  which  may  be  rendered 
agreeable  by  variation,  and  occa- 
fionally  introducing  geography, 
drawing,  &c.;  after  five,  let  the 
Opening  be  devoted  to  play,  which 
will  be  quite  fufficient,  and  inftead 
of  being  a  fatigue,  will  then  be  re- 
ally pleafure.  In  the  winter,  when 
the  weather  permits  not  exercife 
out  of  doors,  there  are  plenty  of 
entertainments  at  home,  even  if 
we  fet  afide  books,  wrhich  certainly 
afford  the  moft  permanent  amufe- 
ment." 

This  advice  was  totally  repug- 
nant to  Lady  Manners;  for  James 
would  have  cried,  had  he  been 
forced  ta  nfe  at  fix,  he  therefore 
lav  till  eight,  then  crept  about, 

half 


1  6  J  A  M  E  S     MANNERS. 

half  afleep,  until  nine,  never  taking 
a  book  in  his  hand  the  whole  day, 
except  it  was  his  own  inclination : 
thus,  had  he  not  poffeffed  a  natural 
love  of  learning,  he  would  have 
been  an  abfolute  dunce. 

Captain  Manners  left  his  bro- 
ther's houfe  to  go  on  a  voyage, 
when  James  was  about  ten  years 
old,  or  his  conftant  perfeverance 
might  have  effefted  fome  change; 
but,  previous  to  this,  an  event 
happened,  which  it  is  neceffary  to 
relate. 

Captain  Manners  chanced  to  be 
reading  in  a  fummer-houfe,  on  the 
confines  of  the  park,  which  had  a 
window  that  looked  into  the  green, 
where  James  ufually  played,  and 

where 


JAMES    MANNERS.  \J 

where  he  could  hear  and  fee  him, 
without  being  difcovered,  it  being 
(haded  by  Venetian  blinds.  James 
had  met  with  little  John,  and  they 
had  for  fome  time  amufed  them- 
felves  by  playing  at  marbles,  in 
which  game  John  had  been  fo  fuc- 
cefsfu!,  that  his  opponent,  in  a  paf- 
fion,  challenged  him  to  play  for 
fixpence. 

"Not  I,  indeed,"  replied  John; 
Ci  I  have  only  one  pennj^  and  I 
will  not  throw  it  away  in  gambling ; 
I  don't  want  to  win  your  money, 
and  I  am  fure  you  are  too  rich  to 
want  to  win  mine;  befides,  my  fa- 
ther has  forbidden  me  to  play  for 
money." 

03  "Plhaw! 


l8  JAMES    MANNERS. 

"  Pfhaw!  your  father  will  never 
know  it;  I  will  play  you  fixpence 
to  your  penny;  for  if  I  play  for 
money,  I  think  my  luck  will  turn." 

"  It  will  be  known,  if  my  father 
don't  know  it/'  replied  John ;  "  fo, 
indeed,  I  can't  play  ;  and,  befides, 
I  hate  it,  it  feems  fo  greedy  to  wifh 
to  win  from  one's  playfellow." 

"  It's  only  fear  makes  you  fay 
fo/3  anfwered  James ;  "  you  are  too 
cowardly  to  play  even  for  a  paltry 
penny  againft  fixpence  ;  and  I  am 
a  fool  to  play  with  fuch  mean  boys, 
which,  as  mamma  fays,  are  greatly 
beneath  me." 

"  Indeed/'  faid  Jack,  "  you  are 
right,  I  do  fear  to  lofe  my  penny, 
which  might  be  better  employed ; 

but 


JAMES    MANNERS.  19 

but  as  for  calling  me  a  coward, 
you  mould  not  dare  to  do  that, 
were  you  like  myfelf ;  then,  for  not 
playing  v/ith  fuch  mean  boys,  I 
think  you  are  quite  right;  though 
if  you  wim  to  win  their  money,  you 
furely  are  as  mean  as  they." 

As  John  concluded,  he  turned  to 
leave  him,  for  he  well  knew  his  fa- 
ther would  be  offended,  (hould  any 
quarrel  happen  between  them. 


CHAPTER 


2O  JAMES    MANNERS. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

J  OHN  was  neither  out  of  fight 
nor  hearing,  when  James  gave  a 
loud  fcream.  The  moment  John 
had  left  him,  a  large  Newfound- 
land dog  paffing  by,  he  had  wan- 
tonly thrown  a  flick  at  him,  which 
fo  provoked  the  animal,  that  he  in- 
ftantly  turned  and  feized  him  by 
the  leg,  which  he  held  fo  firmly, 
that  his  efforts  to  make  him  oft" 
were  unavailing,  and  he  was  ne- 
ceflitated  to  have  recourfe  to  cries 
for  afliftance. 

Captain  Manners,  who  had  ob- 
ferved  the  whole  fcene  between  his 

nephew 


JAMES    MANNERS.  21 

nephew  and  John,  ran  at  the  firfl 
alarm  of  danger,  but  did  not  arrive 
until  his  nephew  was  releafed;  for 
John,  at  the  firft  outcry,  ran  back, 
regardlefs  of  the  affront  he  had  re- 
ceived, grafped  the  dog  by  the 
throat,  and  difengaged  the  terrified 
James. 

"  I  hope  you  are  not  hurt,"  faid 
the  good  boy  :  "  I  could  not  have 
believedFarmer  Giles's  Bluff  would 
have  been  fo  ill-natured;  furely 
fomething  mull  have  provoked  him, 
for  be  is  as  gentle  as  a  lamb. 

At  this  moment  Captain  Man- 
ners reached  them,  who  having 
ftripped  down  James's  flocking, 
perceived  the  injury  to  be  fo  tri- 
fling^ that  he  was  perfectly  relieved 

from 


2.*  JAMES    MANNERS. 

from  apprehenfion ;  particularly 
as  the  dog  was  fawning  on  John, 
and  courting  play,  by  bringing 
ftones,  and  laying  them  at  his  feet. 

"  Go,  go,"  faid  John,  putting 
back  Bluff  with  his  hand;  "  I  do 
not  like  crofs  dogs ;  I  hate  fpite.3> 

"  Did  the  dog  feize  you  without 
caufe? — had  you  given  him  no  of- 
fence?" faid  Captain  Manners. 

James,  for  a  minute,  felt  too 
much  confufed  to  reply;  he  knew 
himfelf  in  fault,  but  though  he 
feared  his  uncle's  difpleafure,  he 
was  not  wicked  enough  to  endea- 
vour to  palliate  his  error  by  a  lie. 

"  I — I — ;>  at  length  ftarnmered  he, 
"  threw  a  flick  at  him ;  I  am  forry 
for  it." 


JAMES    MANNERS.  £3 

"  If  that  be  the  cafe,"  replied  his 
uncle,  "  Bluff  only  defended  him- 
felf.  —  Good  by'e,  my  lad,  (patting 
John  on  the  head)  I  (hall  fee  you 
again  before  I  leave  the  country  : 
at  prefen  t,  \tfe  muft  halt  en  home  to 
get  this  gentleman's  leg  dreffed,  I 
hope  it  will  henceforth  afford  this 
ufeful  leffon,  that  itndeferved  injult 
fcldom  fails  of  meeting  defervedpu- 


While  Captain  Manners  and  his 
nephew  returned  home,  John  walk- 
ed {lowly  towards  his  father's,  fol- 
lowed by  Bluff,  who,  in  vain,  had 
recourfe  to  his  old  tricks  to  bring 
him  into  temper. 

"  Indeed,  Bluff,"  at  length  faid 
Jack,  fornewhat  foftened  by  his 

perfe- 


24  „       JAMES    MANNERS. 

perfeverance,  and  laying  his  hand 
on  his  head,  "  it  was  a  wicked 
trick,  and  you  might  have  lamed 
him;  if  he  was  fo  foolifh.  what  need 
for  you  to  be  fpiteful?  for  I'm  fure 
you  was  not  hurt,  or  you  would 
not  be  fo  merry  now.  Could  you 
not  have  walked  about  your  bufi- 
nefs? — that  would  have  ihewn  your 
fenfe,  as  my  father  fays  to  me;  but 
to  bite  him  was  a  cruel  action." 

Whether  Bluff  j^erfeajy  under- 
ftood  this  gentle  rebuke,  or  whether 
Jack's  foftened  tone  of  voice  em- 
boldened him,  is  uncertain,  for  he 
leaped  with  his  fore  paws  on  his 
moulder.  "  Not  fo  free/'  faid  John, 
"  I  mall  not  make  friends  with 

you 


JAMES    MANNERS.  2£ 

•» 

you  till  you  are  reconciled  to  Ma- 
iler James." 

With  this  threat  they  reached 
home,  for  they  were  next  door 
neighbours,  Bluff  appertaining  to 
the  adjoining  farm,  and  having 
been  accuftomed  to  play  with  John, 
from  his  puppy  days,  was  fonder  of 
him  than  of  any  one  elfe. 


CHAPTER 


26  JAMES    MANNERS. 


CHAPTER  V. 

NT  Captain  Manners  and  James's 
return,  though  the  former  treated 
the  affair  as  lightly  as  poffible,  yet 
it  gave  Lady  Manners  great  con- 
cern, and  (he  infilled  on  the  dog's 
being  immediately  fhot;  but  the 
Captain  fo  warmly  oppofed  it,  as, 
indeed,  did  James,  that  (he,  of  ne- 
ceffity,  was  obliged  to  give  it  up. 

"  Fie,  Madam!"  faid  he,  "how 
cam  you  act  fo  erroneoufly? — what ! 
becaufe  your  fon  has  behaved  un- 
juftly,  muft  you  add  to  the  offence? 
I  can  fcarcely  wonder  at  any  aflion 
children,  fo  brought  up,  commit ; 

they 


JAMES    MANNERS,.  2  J 

they  are  to  treat  the  defencelefs 
•with  cruelty,  and,  if  the  unoffend- 
ing viftim  dares  turn  on  the  op- 
preffor,  he  is  to  be  puniihed  with 
death!  Barbarity  to  animals  is  a 
fymptom  of  a  bad  heart,  and  the 
'child  that  is  encouraged  in  fuch 
conduct,  will  be  capable,  when  he 
attains  manhood,  of  exercifing  it 
on  his  fellows.  Bluff  is  not  the  on- 
ly one  James  has  injured  this  even- 
ing; and  he  has,  I  think,  received 
a  leffon  not  eafily  to  be  forgotten. 
The  boy,  whom  he  treated  with 
rudenefs,  becaufe  he  would  not 
degrade  himfelf  by  gambling,  for- 
getting the  infult  he  had  received, 
nobly  refcued  him  in  his  danger. 
James  may  hereafter  enjoy  an  af- 
fluent 


28  JAMES    MANNERS. 

fluent  fortune,  teach  him  that  fupe- 
riority  of  wealth  requires,  to  make  it 
truly  refpeflable,  fuperiority  of  vir- 
tue. The  rich,  who  enjoy  every  ad- 
vantage of  education,  {hould  fet  ex- 
amples of  juflice  and  moderation  to 
thofe  beneath  them.  They  {hould 
proteft  the  innocent,  endeavour  to 
recal  to  the  duties  of  fociety  thofe 
that  have  been  mifguided  through 
weaknefs  of  mind.  But,  waving 
this  fubjeft,  you  need  not  be  under 
any  apprehenfion,  in  refpeft  to  the 
dog  being  difordered,  for  I  never 
faw  an  animal  more  playful  in  my 
life;  and  even  where  there  is  room 
for  furmife,  killing  the  bead  is 
furely  a  wrong  method;  he  fhould 
be  carefully  confined,  until  all 

doubts 


JAMES    MANNERS.  2£ 

doubts  are  removed  or  verified; 
for  many  dogs,  from  ill  ufage,  heat, 
and  various  other  caufes,  create 
alarm  without  danger.  If  the  bead 
eats  and  drinks,  there  is  no  room 
for  fear ;  but  if  he  is  dull  and  heavy, 
refufes  meat  and  water  repeatedly, 
there  is  full  caufe  for  apprehenfion, 
and  the  bed  way  is  certainly  to  have 
him  difpatched." 

The  morning  following  James's 
difafter,  he  kept  his  room  longer 
than  ufual,  not  from,  any  pain  in 
his  leg,  but  from  the  confcioufnefs 
that  his  uncle  had  heard  what  pair- 
ed between  him  and  John.  After 
breakfaft,  however,  Captain  Man- 
ners called,  in  his  apartment,  to  fee 
him.  To  amufe  him,  he  prefented 
D  3  him 


3O  JAMES    MANNERS. 

him  with  a  book,  and  defired  him 
to  read  the  following  dialogue. 


MR.  STAINES.  I  am  going  into 
the  city,  Richard,  would  you  like 
to  take  a  walk  with  me? 

RICHARD.  Very  much,  Sir,  if 
you  pleafe. 

MR.  ST  A.  Take  your  hat  then, 
and  let  us  go. 

[In  paffing  by  the  Sun  Infurance- 
Office,  Richard  enquired  what 

*    it  meant.]] 

Mr.  STA.  The  gentlemen  who 
manage  infurance  offices,  under- 
take, for  being  paid  fo  much  per 
cent,  to  infure  houfes  and  goods 

from 


JAMES    MANNERS.  3! 

from  fire:  that  is,  if  you  pay  them 
yearly  three  or  four  millings  for 
every  hundred  pounds  that  you  pof- 
fefs,  in  houfes,  goods,  or  {hips;  if 
thefe  pofleffions  be  deftroyed  by 
fire,  they  pay  you  the  value  of  what 
you  had  thus  infured. 

RICH.  How  can  they  afford  to 
do  this? 

MR.  STA.  The  number  of  houfes 
which  aye  burnt,  even  in  London, 
is  very  fmall,  compared  with  the 
number  annually  infured;  and  this 
excefs  not  tfnly  enables  them  to  re- 
ftore  fuch  as  are  confumed,  but  pro- 
duces a  very  considerable  profit. 

RICH.  Is  not  this  a  kind  of 
gaming,  Sir? 

MR.  STA,  By  no  means,  Ri- 

.  chard* 


32  JAMES    MANNERS. 

chard.  I  efteem  this  a  noble  and 
very  commendable  inftitution, 
\vhich  has  greatly  contributed  to 
the  profperity  of  this  metropolis. 
»  It  ought  to  be  confideredasa  friend- 
ly fubfcription,  among  fellow-citi- 
zens, to  raife  a  common  fund  for 
the  relief  of  fuch  of  their  number, 
as  may,  without  any  fault  of  their 
own,  through  the  negligence  of 
their  neighbours  or  fervants,  &c.  be 
reduced  to  beggary.  But  what  is 
the  matter? — what  a  crowd  of  peo- 
ple are  coming  towards  us! 

RICH.  Whither  are  they  drag- 
ging that  poor  man  ? — how  pale  and 
languid  he  looks! 

MR.  STA.  We  will  enquire  of 
-this  gentleman.  [To  the  gentle- 

man.J 


JAMES    MANNERS.  33 

man.]  Could  you,  Sir,  be  fo  kind 
as  to  inform  us,  what  they  are  about 
to  do  with  that  young  man  ? 

GENT.  The  baker,  whom  you 
fee  on  this  fide  of  the  prifoner,  had 
left  his  bafket  in  the  ftreet,  and  that 
poor  man  was  obferved  to  (leal  a 
loaf  out  of  it,  and  run  with  it  into  a 
neighbouring  houfe.  .The* baker, 
on  his  return,  miffing  the  loaf,  and 
being  informed  who  had  taken  it, 
procured  the  police  officers ;  fhort- 
ly  after  they  feized  the  offender, 
and  are  now  conducing  him  to  the 
magiftrate. 

MR.  STA.  We  are  much  oblig- 
ed to  you,  Sir,  for  your  informa- 
tion. How  far,  pray,  is  the  magi- 
flrate's  office  diftant? 

GENT. 


34  JAMES    MANNERS. 

GENT.  Juft  round  the  corner, 
Sir. 

MR.  STA.  The  man  has  a  gen- 
teel appearance.  Surely  he  muft 
be  reduced  to  great  neceflity.  We 
will  ftep  into  the  office,  Richard, 
and  hear  his  examination. 

MAGISTRATE.  Who  accufes 
the  pr;r~>ner? 

BAKER.     I  do,  Sir. 

MAGIS.     What  has  he  done? 

BAKER.  Robbed  my  bafket,  in 
the  open  ftreet. 

MAGIS.     Did  you  fee  him  do  it? 

BAKER.     No,  Sir. 

MAGIS.  How  do  you  know, 
then,  that  he  did  it? 

BAKER.  Pleafe  your  worfhip, 
I  had  to  take  a  loaf  into  Collar- 
court, 


JAMES    MANNERS.  35 

court,  fo  I  fet  my  bafket  down  in 
the  ftreet,  while  I  went  with  it.  I 
knew  how  many  loaves  I  left  in  the 
bafket,  but,  on  my  return,  I  found 
one  gone  : — a  gentleman,  that  flood 
by,  informed  me,  that  the  prifoner 
had  carried  it  off  into  a  houfe,  to 
which  he  direfted  me. 

MA GIS,  Where  is  the  perfon 
who  faw  the  robbery  committed? 

GENTLEMAN.     Here,  Sir. 

MA GIS.  Are  you  certain  that 
you  faw  the  prifoner  take  a  loaf 
out  of  the  baker's  bafket  ? 

GENT.  Yes,  Sir;  I  have  no 
doubt  of  the  faft.  As  I  was  walk- 
ing on  the  oppofite  fide  of  the  ftreet, 
I  faw  the  prifoner,  foon  after  the 
baker  had  left  his  bafket,  go  up  to 

it, 


36  JAMES    MANNERS. 

it,  look  earneftly,  for  fome  time,  at 
the  bread,  fnatch  a  loaf,  and  run 
with  it  into  an  adjacent  houfe.  I 
took  good  notice  of  his  perfon,  and 
am  certain  that  is  the  very  man. 

PRISONER.  I  freely  confefs  the 
crime.  You  need  give  yourfelf  no 
farther  trouble  to  examine  the  af- 
fair. 

MAGIS.  I  am  very  forry,  young 
man,  to  find  one  of  your  appear- 
ance guilty  of  fuch  an  aftion. 
What  have  you  to  plead  in  your  de- 
fence? 

PRISONER.  I  acknowledge,  Sir, 
the  guilt  of  the  aflion;  nor  have  I 
any  thing  to  trouble  your  worfhip 
with  in  its  defence,  except  the  plea 
of  neceUity,  I  had  not  tafted  food 

of 


JAMES    MANNERS.  37 

of  any  kind  for  more  than  a  day 
and  a  night;  and  had  tried,  in 
vain,  feveral  means  of  obtaining 
an  honefl  fupply.  My  own  want, 
however,  would  never  have  in- 
duced me  to  have  been  guilty  of 
this  crime;  but  the  thoughts  of  a 
beloved  wife,  and  three  children, 
perifhing  for  want  of  viftuals,  tranf- 
ported  me  beyond  myfelf,  and  im- 
pelled me,  carelefs  of  what  might 
be  the  confequences,  to  relieve, 
for  a  moment,  their  infupportable 
hunger.  Thefe,  Sir,  were  the  cir- 
cumftances  that  determined  me  to 
commit  the  crime  of  which  I  ftand 
accufed.  Of  the  reality  of  them, 
any  one  may  be  fully  fatisfied,  from 
the  officers  by  whom  I  was  appre- 
E  hended. 


3$  JAMES    MANNERS. 

hended.  Whatever  becomes  of 
me,  I  deferve  my  fate :  but  I  en- 
treat you,  Sir,  not  to  permit  my  in- 
nocent wife  and  little  babes  to  fuf- 
fer  any  longer! 

MAGIS.  Where  are  the  officers 
who  apprehended  the  prifoner? 

FIRST  OFFICER.  Here,  pleafe 
your  worfhip. 

MAGIS.  Relate  what  you  ob- 
ferved  in  the  apartment  of  the  pri- 
foner, at  the  time  when  you  ap- 
prehended him. 

FIRST  OFF i.  On  entering  the 
room,  we  faw  a  genteel  young  wo- 
man, fitting  with  one  infant  lying 
at  her  breaft,  and  two  others  {land- 
ing ciofe  to  her  lap,  devouring,  with 
eagernefs,  the  loaf  which  the  pri- 
foner 


JAMES    MANNERS.  39 

foner  had  brought  them,  and  allay* 
ing  their  thirft  with  cold  water> 
whilft  the  prifoner  flood  gazing 
over  them.  On  acquainting  him 
with  our  bufinefs,  he  ftarted,  as 
from  a  dream,  and  the  poor,  weak 
woman  fwooned  away.  With  much 
difficulty  we  brought  her  to  herfelf. 
We  examined  the  apartment,  and 
can  afiure  your  worfhip,  that  we 
faw  no  kind  of  vi&uals  in  their  pof- 
feflion,  except  the  bread  they  were 
eating  ;  nor  did  we  difcover  any 
thing  that  could  induce  us  to  fuf~ 
pe£i  the  truth  of  the  prifoner Js  ft 
ration. 

MAGIS.     The  fcene  muft  have 

been   affefting! How  could   a 

young  man  like  you  be  reduced  to 

fuch 


4O  JAMES    MANNERS. 

fuch  deplorable  circumftances?  — 
But  before  we  proceed,  let  one  of 
the  officers  go  to  my  kitchen,  and 
delire  the  cook  to  take  fome  viftu- 
als  to  the  poor  woman  and  her 
children:  be  kind  enough  to  {hew 
her  the  way  to  their  apartment. 

PRISON.  May  every  bleffing  be 
yours,  worthy  Sir.  If  they  be  hap- 
py, I  am  content. 

MAGIS.  Young  man,  fomething 
may,  perhaps,  be  done  for  you. 
But  I  have  a  defire  to  be.  acquainted 
with  the  misfortunes  which  have 
brought  you  fo  very  low. 

PRISON.  You  certainly  have  a 
right  to  every  information,  Sir, 
that  you  pleafe  to  require.  And 
1  hope,  that  every  one  who  hears 

me, 


JAMES    MANNERS.  4! 

me,  efpecially  young  perfons,  will 
take  notice  of  my  faults,  and,  by 
avoiding  them,  efcape  the  miferies 
which  I  have  fuffered.  My  father 
was  a  gentleman  of  confiderable 
property  ;  and  I  was  brought  up  at 
a  reputable  boarding-fchool  in  the 
country.  As  I  loft  both  my  pa- 
rents in  my  youth,  I  no  fooner  be- 
came of  age,  than  I  took  pofleffion 
of  all  my  father's  property.  An 
unhappy  propenfity  to  gaming, 
which  I  had  contrafted.  when  a 
boy,  among  my  playmates,  conti- 
nued with  me  to  the  years  of  matu- 
rity, and  even  feemed  to  gain  ad- 
ditional ftrength  with  my  increaf- 
ing  age.  I  no  fooner,  therefore, 
found  myfelf  the  uncontrolled  maf- 
E  3  ter 


42  JAMES     MANNERS- 

ter  of  my  eftate,  than  I  gave  a  full 
loofe  to  my  inclinations.  Cards, 
ciice,  horfe-racing,  &c.  fuoceeded 
to  boyifli  games,  which  had  pre- 
pared my  mind  to  relifh  thefe  man- 
ly modes  of  ruin.  I  married  an 
amiable  young  lady,  for  whom  I 
had  a  fincere  and  tender  affection. 
Her  fortune,  which  was  confider- 
abie,  with  all  my  own,  has,  in  the, 
courfe  of  feven  years,  been  totally 
diffipated,  and  I  am  reduced  to  the 
fituation  in  which  you  fee  me ;  an 
outcaft  from  all  reputable  fociety, 
and  without  any  probable  means  of 
procuring  an  honefl  fupport  for 
mvfrif  and  dependents. 

MAGIS.     Indeed,    young   man, 
ycu  have  given  a  very  diftreffing 

account 


JAMES    MANNERS.  4£ 

account  of  yourfelf.  I  hope  it  will 
operate  on  all  who  may  hear  it,  as 
a  powerful  difluafive  againft  the 
dcftruftive  praftice  of  gaming. 
And  parents  and  guardians  will,  I 
am  perfuaded,  fee  the  neceffity  of 
reflraining  children,  when  young, 
from  laying  the  foundation  of  fo 
baneful  a  habit  in  their  childiQi  CU*T 
verfions.  An  error  in  education, 
which,  though  of  the  moft  dange- 
rous tendency  to  the  future  happi- 
nefs  of  youth,  is,  I  fear,  too  fre- 
quently committed.  As  for  you,  if 
you  be  really  fenfible  of  your  mif- 
conduft,  and  refolved  to  correft  it, 
you  will,  doubtlefs,  be  enabled  to 
live  honeftly ;  fince  you  have  had 

a  good, 


44  JAMES    MANNERS. 

a  good  education,  a  clerk's  place 
might  fuit  you. 

PRISON.  I  am  amamed,  Sir,  to 
confefs  it;  but,  when  at  fchool,  my 
mind  was  fo  much  occupied  with 
the  thoughts  of  gaming,  and  con- 
triving tricks  to  cheat  my  play- 
mates, that  I  am  very  deficient  in 
the  common  part  of  fchool  learn- 
ing. I  am  but  young,  however, 
and  mould  be  happy  to  exert  every 
nerve  to  make  myfelf  ufeful  in  any 
ftation,  in  which  I  could  provide 
for  myfelf  and  connexions. 

MAGIS.  You  (hall  receive  a  trifle 
from  the  office;  and  the  gentle- 
men who  are  prefent,  will,  I  doubt 
not,  willingly  contribute  a  little  to- 
wards 


JAMES    MANNERS.  45 

wards  your  prefent  fupport. —  Mr. 
Baker,  will  you  agree  to  my  dif- 
charging  the  prifoner? 

BAKER,  I  infift  on  being  paid 
for  my  loaf,  Sir.  His  fine  fpeeches 
won't  heat  my  oven. 

MAGIS.  It  does  no  great  ho- 
nour to  your  feelings  ;  but  the 
clerk  of  the  office  will  pay  you. 

[[The  examination  clofes — Mr. 
Staines  and  his  fon  go  out  of 
the  office.] 

MR.  STA.  This,  Richard,  has 
been  an  interefling  examination. 
I  am  much  pleafed  that  we  have  had 
an  opportunity  of  hearing  it:  it 
will,  I  truft,  have  a  happy  effe6l  to 
Convince  you  of  the  d^flruftive  na- 
ture, and  baneful  tendency,  of  gam- 
ing. 


46  JAMES    MANNERS. 

ing.  We  have  been  witnefles  of 
the  diftrefs  to  which  it  has  reduced 
this  unhappy  youth.  But  this  in- 
ftance,  though  very  affecling,  is 
but  one  of  a  great  number  equally 
deplorable,  and  events  more  fatal 
are  often  the  confequences  of  this 
pernicious  vice. 


When  James  had  finifhed  read- 
ing, Captain  Manners  perceived 
that  the  fubjeft  had  fomewhat  af- 
fefted  his  nephew;  but  as  what 
pafled  between  them  in  converfa- 
tion,  at.  that  time,  never  tranfpir- 
ed,  we  can  only  relate  the  confe- 
quences. 

At 


JAMES    MANNERS.  47 

At  noon  James  left  his  v  apart- 
ment, paid  his  duty  to  his  mother, 
and  afked  permiffion  to  walk  with 
his  uncle.  They  took  the  way 
to  Sutton's  farm,  and  had  nearly 
reached  it,  when  they  met  John, 
who  was  coming  from  fchool,  and 
feemed  not  a  little  aftonifhed  to  fee 
James  advance  towards  him,  hold- 
ing out  his  hand,  and  faying, 
"  John,  I  behaved  ill,  laft  night,  I 
am  forry  for  it — you  muft  forget 
it." 

John,  fora  moment,  flood  filent, 
at  length  replied,  "  I  am  forry  too, 
becaufe  the  dog  hurt  your  leg;  but 
I  hope  it  will  foon  get  well." 

"  I— I  don't  mean  the  dog,  John/5 

replied  James  with  increafed  con- 

2  fufion; 


48  JAMES    MANNERS. 

fufion ;  "  I  behaved  rudely  to  you ; 
ihake  hands,  and  let  us  be  friends." 

John's  eyes  rilled  with  tears. — 
"  Pray,"  replied  he,  "  pray  don't 
fay  any  thing  about  it,  I  never 
thought  of  it  fince;  you  was  tired, 
and  it  made  you  peevifh  :  I  know 
you  loved  me  dearly  till  you  went 
home,  and  I  am  fure  I  love  you  as 
I  ufed  to  do." 

"  I  have  been  proud  to  you,  and 
cruel  to  the  dog,"  faid  he." 

"You  was  not — you  was  not," 
cried  John:  "  don't  you  play  with 
me  often?  fo  you  can't  be  proud ; 
and  for  the  dog,  he  was  an  ill-na- 
tured beaft  to  bite  you.  I  remem- 
ber when  you  bought  a  cock  from 
the  boys,  that  they  might  not  throw 

at 


JAMES     M  A  N  N  E  R  S .  4  C) 

at   it;  fo   I  am  fore  you  are   not 
cruel,7' 

With  hearts  thus  difpofed,  a  re- 
conciliation was  foon  e.ffe6ted; 
Captain  Manners  faying,  t:  You  are 
both  brave  boys:  John  knows  bet- 
ter how  to  excuFe  an  injury  than  to 
offer  one;  and  for  you,  James,  you 
have  gained  a  greater  conqueft 
than  ever  Alexander  could  boaft— 
a  victory  over  yourfelf.1* 

"  And  now,"  faid  John,  adclref- 
fing  Captain  Manners,  <f  if  you 
pleafe  to  give  me  leave,  Sir,  1  will 
go  ai}d  fetch  Bluff:  I  wiflh  to  (hew 
M  after  James 'how  gentle  he  is  ;  if 
he  could  fpeak,  I  dare  fay/  he 
would  be  forry  for  what  he  has 
dane.'3 

F  "Fetch 


£3  JAMES    MANNERS. 

46  Fetch  him  then,"  replied  the 
Captain,  fmiling ;  "  we  will  receive 
his  excufes." 

John  flew  to  Farmer  Giles's,  call- 
ing his  friend  Bluff,  and  returned 
riding  on  his  back. 

"  What  a  tremendous  monfter!" 
exclaimed  James,  (huddering  at  the 
recolleftion  of  the  preceding  day. 
To  confefs  the  truth,  Bluff  made  a 
formidable  appearance,  being  of 
the  largeft  fize  of  thofe  animals, 
black,  and  fhaggy;  nor  did  he  ap- 
pear befl  pleafed  with  the  meeting, 
for  he  growled  inwardly,  and  {hew- 
ed his  teeth. 

"  No  fpite,  firrah,"  faid  John, 
flapping  him  on  the  head;  "  fetch 

this 


JAMES    MANNERS.  5! 

this  flone ! "  throwing  one  to  fome 
diftance. 

Bluff  obeyed,  and,  returning, laid 
it  at  John's  feet. 

"  No,  firrah !  carry  it  there," 
pointing  to  Captain  Manners. 

Bluff  obeyed/ 

John  threw  a  fecond ;  Bluff  (as 
before)  fetched  it,  and  laid  it  be- 
fore him. 

"  Carry  it  there!"  faid  Jack, 
pointing  to  James. 

Bluff  wagged  his  tail,  and  flood 
ftill. 

"  It's  of  no  ufe,  Bluff,  to  be  ful- 
ky,  you  {hall  carry  it,  or  I'll  give 
you  a  drubbing;"  lifting  up  his 
left  hand,  and  pointing  with  his 

right- 


5  2  JAMES,  MANX  ERS. 

right;  ff  take  it,,  I  fay!"  ftamping 
with  his  foot. 

Bluff,  thus  commanded,  after 
forne  hefitation,  took  up  the  (tone, 
and  laid  it  before  James,  who  trem- 
bled with  apprehenfion. 

"  I  could  never  have  believed 
you  could  have  made  him  fo  fub- 
miflive,"  faid  James.  "  How  did 
you  get  fuch  maftery  over  him? — 
beat  him  you  could  not,  or  he  would 
have  fer ved  you  as  he  did  me." 

"  Perhaps  he  would/'  replied 
John;  "but  I  fed,  and  played  with 
him  when  he  was  little;  and  I  now 
never  fcruple  to  beat  him,  if  he  af- 
fronts me;  for  he  is  very  apt  to 
bark  at  beggars;  and  two  or  three 

times 


JAMES    MANNERS.  53 

times  he  has  fetched  the  geefe  out 
of  the  water;  but  he  knows  I  never 
beat  him,  unlefs  he  deferves  it." 

By  repeatedly  throwing  the  (lone, 
which  John  made  him,  each  time, 
carry  to  James,  they,  at  length, 
became  fomewhat  more  familiar; 
fo  that,  before  they  parted,  James 
ventured  to  pat  his  head,  John 
{landing  by,  and  clafping  his  great 
jaws  with  his  hands.  All  parties 
being  thus  reconciled,  the  Captain 
called  on  Richard  Suttori,  (leaving 
the  friends  at  the  door)  whofe  heart 
he  gladdened  by  his  approbation  of 
his  fon,  defiringhim  not  to  negleft 
his  education,  and  faying,  that  he 
would  be  a  friend  to  him;  then, 
r  3  forbid- 


54  JAAJES    MANNERS. 

forbidding  his  vifits  being  mention- 
ed, took  his  leave. 

As  the  farmer,  from  this  time, 
got  rather  eafier  in  his  circum- 
ftances,  it  may  be  readily  furmifed, 
that  the  Captain  made  him  fome 
prefent;  and,  as  a  fmall  fum  is 
fometimes  of  great  utility  to  the  in- 
duftrious  poor,  it  doubtlefs  was  fo. 
He  did  not  labour  lefs,  but  he 
bought  more  manure  for  his  land, 
which  caufed  it  to  bear  better 
crops;  and  he  purchafed  two  cows 
and  fome  pigs,  fo  that  he  made 
more  butter  and  cheefe,  and  had 
always  bacon  in  the  houfe  for  his 
family. 


CHAPTER 


JAMES    MANNERS* 


CHAPTER  VI. 

the  various  evils  occa-t 
fioned  by  Lady  Manners' unbound- 
ed indulgence,  was  that  moft  de- 
ftruftive  of  all  vices,  a  love  of 
wine;  for  James,  accuftomed  to 
dine  at  his  father's  table,  made  no 
fcruple  of  drinking  fometimes  even 
two  glaffes,  a  quantity  very  impro- 
per for  his  years,  and  an  indul- 
gence that  his  refpe&able  uncle 
confidered  with  vexation  and  for- 
row,  and  determined,  if  poffible, 
to  wean  him  from  fo  deftruftive  a 
propenfity.  He  took  him,  one  af- 
ternoon, into  the  fummer-houfe, 

and, 


56  JAMES    MANNERS. 

and,  in  an  affectionate  difcourfe, 
pointed  out  the  evils  that  accrue 
from  fuch  an  inclination.  6i  Wine, 
my  dear  boy,"  faid  he,  "  was  given 
us  for  a  cordial,  not  to  take  in 
large  quantities,  or  on  every  flight 
occafion ;  confidered  thus,  it  is  in 
fome  maladies,  and  particularly  in 
the  weaknefs  of  old  age,  really  a 
blefling;  but,  taken  to  excefs,  it 
becomes  the  reverfe,  for  nothing 
fo  debafes  as  drunkennefs :  in  that 
(late,  a  man  is  far  beneath  the 
brutes ;  he  knows  not  what  he  does, 
and  is  capable  of  the  greateft 
crimes,  and  at  which  his  nature^  at 
another  time,  would  recoil.  .  To 
prove  this,  I  have  felefted  a  ftory 
which  you  will  read."  Thus  fay- 
ing* 


JAMES    MANNERS.  57 

ing,  he  prefented  a  book  to  James, 
who  read  the  following  ftory. 


A  LATE  emperor  of  China,  who 
was  particularly  celebrated  for  his 
curiofity,  had  a  ftrong  inclination 
to  know  what  it  was  to  be  drunk, 
and,  for  that  reafon,  ordered  a  man- 
darin to  fit  down  and  drink  with 
him.  The  liquor  they  chofe  was 
Canary,  and,  in  about  two  hours, 
the  emperor,  being  dead  drunk, 
fell  faft  afleep.  When  the  mar,da- 
rin,  who  continued  fober,  fa w  this, 
he  retired,  and  fent  for  fome  of  the 
chiefs  of  the  court,  to  whom  he 
thus  addrefled  him'felf:  "'  My 

friends, 


58  JAMES     MANNERS. 

friends,  what  a  monarch  does  is  no 
light  matter;  our  mailer  feems  but 
too  well  pleafed  with  the  juice  of 
the  grape  ;  he  commended  it  at 
every  glafs.  Confider  that,  if  he  is 
already  capricious,  and  fomewhat 
addifted  to  cruelty,  howinfupport- 
able  he  will  be,  if  he  becomes  a 
drunkard.  Take  my  advice ;  load 
me  inftamly  with  chains,  and  thrufl 
me  into  a  dungeon.  When  ttye 
emperor  awakes,  and  enquires  for 
me,  tell  him,  that  this  was  done  by 
his  order,  and  leave  the  reft  to 
me."  The  courtiers  approved  this 
fcheme,  and  inflantly  put  it  in  exe- 
cution. 

As  foon  as  the  emperor  came  to 
himfelf,  and  perceiving  that  he  was 

alone, 


JAMES     MANNERS.  ££ 

alone,  enquired  for  the  mandarin; 
and  b^ing  told  he  was  in  a  dungeon, 
loaded  with  irons,  and  that  they 
had  fent  for  an  executioner  to  put 
him  to  death  by  his  majefty's  order., 
he  was  amazed ;  and  be-gan  to  re- 
fleet  within  himfelf,  what  it  was 
that  had  thus  provoked  him.  Be- 
ing unable  to  recolleft  any  thing, 
he  ordered  the  mandarin  to  be  fent 
for,  who  came,  and  with  a  dejefit- 
ed  countenance,  throwing  himfelf 
at  the  emperor's  feet,  requefted 
that,  at  lead,  he  might  know  his 
offence:  upon  this  his  irons  were 
taken  off,  and  the  company  with- 
drawing, the  emperor  told  him 
plainly,  that  he  remembered  no- 
thing of  the  matter;  but  that  his 

head 


6  0  J  A  M  E  S     M  A  N  N  £  RS. 

head  ached  extremely,  and  that 
how  well  foever  he  liked  the  tafte  of 
the  wirae,  he  would  never,  in  future, 
drink  more  than  two  glafTes  a  day, 
of  a  liquor  fo  prejudicial  both  to 
mind  and  body :  which  refolution 
he  firmly  maintained,  and  might 
therefore,  boaft  of  having  once 
been  happily  deceived. 


The  Captain  had  juft  time  to 
pafs  his  comment  upon  this  ftory, 
and  James  to  promife  obfervance 
of  his  advice,  when,  from  the  win- 
dow, they  perceived  John  crofling 
the  green,  attended  by  Bluff.  By 

his 


JAMES    MANNERS.  6l 

his  uncle's  permiflion,  James  called 
him  to  join  them. 

After  the  ufual  falutations,  Cap- 
tain Manners  perceiving  that  John 
looked  wiftfully  at  the  books,  that 
lay  fcattered  around,  he  addrefled 
him  thus  :  "  As  I  cannot  help  being 
interefted  for  a  lad,  who,  I  truft, 
will  hereafter  make  an  honeft  and 
refpeflable  man,  I  fhould  wifh, 
John,  to  hear  you  read :  there  is  a 
beautiful  little  poem,  which,  I 
think,  will  intereft  you." 

John,  for  a  few  minutes,  was 
confufed,  but,  taking  the  book,  he 
read  the  following  ftory : 


LUBIN 


62  JAMES    MANNERS. 

• 

LU  B  I  N 

AND    HIS 

DOG     TRAY. 

YOUNG  Lubin  was  a  fhepherd  boy, 
Who  watch'd  a  rigid  mailer's  (beep, 

And  many  a  night  was  heard  to  figh, 
And  many  a  day  was  feen  to  weep. 

For  not  a  lambkin  e'er  was  loft, 
Or  wether  flray'd  to  field  remote, 

But  Lubin  ever  was  to  blame, 

Nor  careful  he,  nor  penn'd  his  cote. 

Yet  notatruftier  lad  was  known, 
To  climb  the  promontory's  brow, 

Nor  yet  a  tenderer  heart  e'er. beat, 
Befide  the  brook  in  vale  below. 

From  him  ftern  winter's  drifting  fnow, 
Its  pelting  fleet,  or  froft  fevere, 

Or  fcorching  fummer's  fultry  ray, 
Ne'er  forc'd  a  murmur  or  a  tear. 

For, 


JAMES    MANNERS.  63 

For,  ah!  the  varying  feafons  had 
To  ev'ry  hardfhip  form'd  his  frame, 

Tho'  ftill  his  tender,  feeling  heart, 
By  nature  nurs'd,  remain'd  the  fame. 

But  whither  (hall  the  orphan  fly, 

To  meet  protecl  ion's  foftering  power? 

Oppreftion  waits  the  future  day, 
When  mifery  marks  the  natal  hour. 

An  orphan  lad  poor  Lubin  was, 
No  friend,  no  relative  had  he ! 

His  happieft  hour  was  dafh'd  with  woe; 
His  mildeft  treatment — tyranny. 

It  chanc'd  that  o'er  the  boundlefs  heath, 
One  winter  day,  his  flocks  had  fpread, 

By  hunger  urg'd,  to  feek  the  blade 
That  lurks  beneath  its  fnowy  bed. 

And  hous'd,  at  eve,  his  fleecy  charge, 
He,  forrowing,  mifs'd  a  fav'rite  lamb, 

That  fhunn'd  the  long-perfiding  fearch, 
Jsoranfwer'd  to  its  bleating  dam. 

With 


64  JAMES    MANNERS. 

With  heavy  heart  he  fhap'd  his  way,, 
And  told  fo  true,  fo  fad  a  tale, 

Thatalraoft  pierc'd  the  marble  breaft 
Of  ruthlefs  Rufus  of  the  Vale. 

Poor  Lubin  own'd  his  flocks  had  ftray'd,  r 
Own'd  he  had  fuffer'd  them  to  go; 

Yes:  he  had  learn'd  to  pity  them, 
for  often  he  had  hunger'd  too : 

And  had  he  to  their  pinching  wants, 

The  unnipp'dneighb'ring  bound  deny'd, 

They  fure  had  dropp'd — as  furely  too 
The  pitying  fhepherd  boy  had  died. 

'*  Then  die !"  th*  unfeeling  matter  faid, 
And  fpurn'd  him  from  his  clofing  door, 

Which,  till  he  found  his  favourite  lamb, 
He  vow'd  fhould  ne'er  admit  him  more. 

Park  was  the  night,  and  o'er  the  wafte 
The  whirling  winds  did  fiercely  blow, 

And  'gainft  his  poor,  unftielter'd  head, 
With  arrowy  keennefs,  came  the  fiiow. 


JAMES    MANNERS.  6$ 

Yet  thus  he  left  his  mafter's  houfe, 
And  ihap'd  his  fad,  uncertain  way; 

By  man  unnotic'd  and  forfook, 

And  follow'd  but  by — trufty  Tray. 

Unlike  to  worldly  friends  were  they, 
Who  feparate  in  fortune's  blaft, 

They  flill  were  near  when  fair  the  iky, 
But  nearer  flill  when  overcaft. 

When  Lubin's  random  ftep  involv'd 
His  body  'neath  the  drifted  fnow, 

Tray  help'd  him  forth  ;  and  when  Tray  fell, 
Poor  Lubin  dragg'd  him  from  below. 

Benumb'd,  at  length,  his  fiifFning  joints, 
His  tongue  to  Tray  could^  fcarcely  fpeak; 

His  tears  congeal'd  to  icicles, 

His  hair  hung  clatt'ring  'gainft  his  cheek. 

As  thus  he  felt  his  falt'ring  limbs 
Give  omen  of  approaching  death, 

Aurora,  from  her  eaftern  hills, 

Rufh'd  forth,  and  itaid  his  fleeting  breath; 

c  3  And 


66  JAMES    MANNERS. 

And  fhew'd  to  bis  imperfect  fight 
The  harmlefs  caufe  of  all  his  woe, 

Jlis  little  lambkin,  cold  and  ftifF, 

Stretch'd  on  its  bed  of  gliil'ning  fnow, 

"  Tis  juft,"  he  faid,  "  that  where  thou  liefl; 

The  carelefs  fhepherd  boy  fhould  lie  ; 
Thou  died'ft,  poor  fool !  for  want  of  food  } 

I  fall,  for  fuff 'ring  thee  to  die. 

"  But,  oh!  my  mafter!  "  broken — fhort— ^ 
Was  ev'ry  half-word  now  he  fpoke; 

'•*  Severe  has  been  thy  conflant  will, 
And  galling  fure  thy  heavy  yoke. 

«'  A  warmer  couch  haft  thou  to  prefs, 
Secure  from  cramping  frofts  thy  feet; 

And  couldft  thou  boaft  fo  free  a  breaft, 
Thou  yet  might'fl  die  a  death  as  fweet. 

«  My  trufty  dog that  wiflful  look 

Is  all  that  makes  my  poor  heart  heave: 

But  hie  thee  home,  proclaim  me  dead, 
Forget  to  think,  and  ceafe  to  grieve.'* 

So 


JAMES    MANNERS.  €j 

So  faying,  (hrunk  the  haplefs  youth, 
Beneath  the  chilling  grafp  of  death; 

And,  clafping  poor  Tray's  maggy  neck, 
Sigh'd  gently  forth  his  parting  breath! 

His  faithful,  fond,  fagacious  dog, 

Hung  watchful  o'er  his  mailer's  clay; 

And  many  a  moan  the  creature  made, 
And  many  a  thing  he  ftrove  to  fay.    . 

But  not  a  fign  of  lurking  life, 

Through  all  his  frame  he  found  to  creep; 
He  knew  not  what  it  was  to  die, 

But  knew  his  mafter  did  not  fleep. 

Great  grief  afTail'd  his  untaught  heart, 
And  quickly  laid  its  vi&im  low  ! 

^His  matter's  cheek,  his  pillow  cold, 
Their  common  bed  the  colder  fnow! 


This  fimple,  but  affe&ing  tale, 
interefted  John  too  much  for  him 

to 


68  JAMES    MANNERS. 

to  read  it,  without  frequent  breaks, 
and  repeatedly  having  recourfe  to 
his  handkerchief;  but  Captain 
Manners'  own  heart  was  too  fuf- 
ceptible  for  him  to  condemn  in  ano- 
ther what  he  could  not  refrain  from 
himfelf;  nor  was  he  difpleafed  to 
fee  his  nephew  equally  affected ; 
but  the  entrance  of  Sir  James  into 
the  fummer-houfe  prevented  any 
comment  on  the  ftory,  and  Mr. 
Manners,  flipping  half  a  guinea 
into  John's  hand,  difmiffed  him. 

Though  John  had  never  before 
been  mafler  of  fuch  a  fum,  yet  was 
it  not  powerful  enough  to  banifh 
the  idea  of  Lubin  and  his  friend 
Tray,  and  regarding  Bluff  with 
even  more  than  ufual  complacency, 

he 


JAMES    MANNERS.  69 

he  patted  him,  faying,.  "  Ah,  Bluff! 
what  a  pity  it  is  that  you  could  not 
underftand  that  ftory!  yet,  per- 
haps, after  all,  it  would  only  have 
made  your  heart  ache,  fo  it  is  better 
as  it  is.  I  would  not  have  been  in 
that  wicked  Rufus's  place  for  all 
his  fheep;  I  would  fooner  have 
been  in  poor  Lubin's, 


7O  JAMES    MANNERS, 


CHAPTER  VII. 

JL  HE  Captain  was  foon  after 
called  by  bufmefs  to  Bengal ;  pre- 
vious to  his  departure,  he  conjured 
his  brother  and  filler,  in  the  warm- 
eft  terms,  to  be  more  careful  of  the 
education  of  their  fon.  "  He  is 
naturally  a  good  boy,"  faid  he, 
"but  your  falfe  indulgence,  if  con- 
tinued, will  ruin  him ;  feek  him  a 
learned  and  virtuous  tutor ;  teach 
him  to  keep  his  paflions  under  pro- 
per reftraint  in  his  youth ;  and  in 
more  advanced  age,  he  will  know 
how  to  curb  them ;  but  if  they  are 
once  fuffered  to  take  root,  and  are 

nouriflied 


JAMES    MANNERS.  Jl 

nouriflied  by  indulgence,,  like  a 
torrent,  they  will  fvyeep  all  before 
them." 

"  I  can  fee  no  reafcn,"  returned 
Lady  Manners,  "to  curb  and  pu- 
ni(h  my  fon ;  he  will  have  a  good 
fortune,  and,  I  dare  fay,  will  aft 
properly." 

I  truft  he  will,  my  dear  fifter," 
replied  the  Captain,  without  ap- 
pearing to  notice  this  ridiculous 
fpeech  ;  ee  but  do  you  confider  how 
much  more  dangerous  to  fociety 
are  the  vices  of  the  rich  than  thofe 
of  the  poor  ?  The  poor  man  may 
be  a  libertine,  a  drunkard,  and  a 
gambler,  but  poverty  curbs  thofe 
vices,  and  the  wretched  poffeffor 
fpeedily  falls  a  vidim ;  for  they 

cannot 


72  JAMES     MANNERS. 

cannot  be  maintained  without  his 
having  recourfe  to  the  moft  defpe- 
rate  means,  and  his  life  becomes  a 
forfeit  to  the  violated  laws.  The 
reign  of  the  rich  libertine  is  of 
longer  continuance,  unlefs  he  die 
of  premature  'old  age,  the  natural 
confequence  of  his  vices;  his  for- 
tune enables  him  to  purfue  his  im- 
pious courfe  for  years:  to  gratify 
all  his  vices,  to  be  a  bad  hufband 
and  a  worfe  father,  until  heaven, 
weary  of  his  crimes,  fnatches  him 
away,  dreadful  thought!  without 
time  or  preparation,  with  all  his 
accumulated  fins  upon  his  head!  " 

The  day  after,  the  Captain  left 
the  country,  but  not  until  he  had 
given  the  ilrongeft  charge  to  his 

nephew 


JAMES    MANNERS.  73 

naphew  refpe&ing  his  future -con- 
duel.  James  certainly  loved  his 
uncle,  but,  regarding  him  as  a  curb 
on  his  inclination,  feared  to  aft  im- 
properly before  him. 

His  departure  removing  this  re- 
flraint,  he  now  confidered  himfelf 
as  entirely  mafter  of  his  own  ac- 
tions ;  for  his  father  was  too  indo- 
lent to  pay  him  any  particular  at- 
tention; and  Lady  Manners  loved, 
as  (he  exprefled  it,  a  lad  of  fpirit, 
and  could  not  bear  to  have  him 
thwarted. 

To  fpeak  truly  of  James,  he  be- 
haved univerfally  well  to  John,  af- 
ter the  reconciliation;  he  likewife 
warmly  cultivated  the  acquaint- 
ance of  Bluff,  and  that  with  fuch 
H  fuccefs, 


74  JAMES     MANNERS. 

fuccefs,  that  he  was  fpeedily  no 
inconfiderable  favourite ;  for  BraEF, 
having  a  natural  fondnefs  for  good 
eating,  and  John  having  taught 
James  that  fecret,  he  was  frequent- 
ly to  be  found  in  the  kitchen  of  the 
maniion,  and  a  conftant  compa- 
nion to  little  James  in  his  rambles. 

Sir  James  and  his  lady  had  both 
a  particular  objection  to  James 
walking  without  a  fervant,  but  he, 
thinking  himfelf  above  control, 
frequently  went  out  without  cere- 
mony. 

This  conduct,  as  it  was  acting  in 
direcl  difobedience  to  his  parents, 
certainly  deferved  reprehenfion ; 
but  the  greateft  trouble  fell  upon 
the  fervants,  who  were  fent  differ- 
ent 


JAMES    MANNERS.  75 

ent  ways,  to  feek  him;  and,  on  his 
return,  his  weak  mother  would 
kife  him,  and  declare  her  pleafure 
to  fee  him  fafe,  inftead  of  juftly 
p^miming,  and  making  him,  ano- 
ther time,  fearful  of  difobeying 
her. 

One  warm  afternoon,  that  he  had 
ufed  this  freedom,  he  ftrolled  to 
fome  diftance,  accompanied  by 
Bluff.  At  length,  they  came  to  a 
pond,  where  two  young  lads  were 
bathing:  James  was  warm;  the 
water  looked  refrefhing,  and,  being 
accuftomed  to  refufe  himfelf  no 
gratification,  he  ftripped,  refolving 
however,  as  he  could  not  fwim,  not 
to  venture  out  of  his  depth.  He 
found  it  very  pleafant;  but  being 
*  in 


76  JAMES    MANNERS. 

in  a  violent  perfpiration,  he  foon 
felt  the  confequence  of  difobedi- 
ence  and  imprudence,  for  the  fud- 
den  tranfition  from  heat  to  cold,  in 
a  few  minutes  gave  him  the  cramp, 
which  caufed  his  limbs  to  fail  him, 
and  he  had  only  time  to  utter  a 
fearful  cry  before  he  dropped. 

The  two  lads,  who  were  bath- 
ing, faw  him  fink,  but  were  too 
much  overpowered  with  fear  to  af- 
ford him  any  affiftance,  and  flood 
calling  for  help.  At  this  moment, 
a  fervant,  who  had  been  fent  in 
purfuit  of  his  young  matter,  came 
up;  the  cries  of  the  lads  gave  him 
to  underftand  fome  misfortune  had 
happened ;  and  the  fight  of  Bluff, 
plunging  injhe  water,  confirmed 

his 


JAMES    MANNERS.  77 

his  fears  as  to  the  perfon.  In  this 
dilemma,  the  imprudent  boy  had 
perifhed,  had  not  Bluff,  to  their 
infinite  furprife,  brought  him  up 
bv  the  neck. 

J&nes  had  been  fome  minutes 
under  water,  and  all  animation 
appeared  fufpended,  when  Bluff 
brought  him  to  the  bank.  The  fer- 
vant's  firft  care  was  to  wrap  him  up 
in  his  own  coat ;  and  then  to  take 
hold  of  his  legs  and  arms,  alter- 
nately making  them  to  promote 
circulation:  in  the  mean  time, fend- 
ing one  of  the  boys  to  fetch  the 
apothecary  from  the  adjoining  vil- 
lage. The  boy  declared  the  acci- 
dent to  all  he  met,  fo  that  the  ftory 
foon  reached  the  manor-houfe, 
&  3  with  i 


78  JAMES    MANNERS. 

with  this  addition,  that  he  had  re- 
mained under  water  fo  long  that  he 
"was  quite  dead. 

It  was  now  that  his  mother  felt 
that  her  mifplaced  indulgence  had 
caufed  his  ruin.  "  Miferable  mo- 
ther that  I  am!"  exclaimed  (he; 
"  had  I  not  fo  blindly  fuffered  him 
to  follow  all  his  caprices,  I  fhould 
now  have  had  a  fon;  as  it  is,  his 
lofs  will  foon  bring  me  with  forrow 
to  the  grave ! "  The  excefs  of  her 
grief  overpowered  her,  and,  for 
fome  time,  (he  lay  in  a  ftate  of  utter 
infenfibility. 

Sir  James  was  not  lefs  concerned, 
though  unable  to  vent  his  grief  in 
words,  and  ru(hed  from  the  houfe, 
like  one  diflracled,  in  purfuit  of  the 

body 


JAMES     MANNERS.  79 

body  of  his  fon.  James  was  a  con- 
fiderable  time  before  he  (hewed 
any  figns  of  life;  at  length,  by  the 
ufe  of  flannels,  fprinkled  with  rum, 
brandy,  or  gin,  rubbed  gently  over 
the  body,  and  having  his  breaft  fo- 
mented with  warm  fpirits,  and  the 
apothecary  dire&ing  that  his  left 
.  fide  mould  be  well  chafed  with  a 
warm  hand,  as  moft  likely  to  excite 
the  motion  of  the  heart — he,  to 
the  great  fatisfaftion  of  all  prefent, 
revived. 

At  that  moment  arrived  Sir  James ; 

if  his  grief  was  exceffive  for  the  fup^ 

L  pofed  lofs  of  his   fon,  his  joy  was 

..Jequally  great,  on  finding  him  living, 

:John,  who  had  heard  of  the  mis- 

^    fortune  as  he  came  from  fchool, 

though 


SO  JAMES    MANNERS. 

though  not  of  James's  recovery, 
did  not  run  like  the  reft  to  thefpot, 
for,  underftanding  his  friend  was 
dead,  and  concluding  that  he  would 
be  of  no  fervice,  he  fat  down  by 
the  bank  fide  and  wept. 

Bluff  was  not  like  many,  who 
forget  their  old  friends ;  for  he  no 
fooner  recognifed  his  playfellow 
feated  in  forrow,  than  he  ran  up  to 
him,  and  jumping  with  his  great 
paws  on  his  moulders,  pufhed  his 
cold  nofe  in  his  face,  which  was 
doubtlefs  his  method  of  enquiring 
the  cau.fe,  or  at  leaft  of  foothing 
John's  diftrefs.  "  Poor  Bluff!"— 
fobbed  John — "  you  have  loft  a 
friend  and  playfellow,  and  fo  have 
I." — Bluff  wagged  his  tail,  looked 

earneflly 


JAMES    MANNERS.  8l 

earneftly  in  John's  face,  and  feated 
himfelf  at  his  feet. 

The  crowd  now  drew  near,  and 
John  obferving  that  they  were  car- 
ryjng  fomething  wrapped  up,  con- 
cluded it  was  the  body  of  his  fofler 
brother;  he  wept  aloud,  and  hid- 
ing his  face  with  his  hands,  ex- 
claimed— "  Oh,  I  cannot  bear  it,  I 
cannot  bear  it!" 

This  affectionate  exclamation 
reached  the  ear  of  James,  who,  in 
a  feeble  voice,  delired  John  might 
be  informed  of  his  fafety,  and  told 
to  come  to  the  manor-houfe. 

This  requeft  was  immediately 
obeyed,  and  John's  grief  turned 
into  joy;  he  joined  the  party,  and 
enquired  into  particulars;  but  when 

he 


82  JAMES    MANNERS. 

he  learned  his  friend's  prefervation 
was  brought  about  by  Bluff,  his 
pleafure  knew  no  bounds;  he  em- 
braced him  twenty  times,  faying — 
"  Notwithstanding  you  have  vexed 
me  many  a  time,  I  always  thought 
you  had  a  good  heart :  now  I  am 
convinced  of  it. 

On  James's  arrival  at  home,  he 
was  put  to  bed,  and  in  a  few  days 
perfectly  recovered,  to  the  inex- 
preffible  delight  of  his  fond  mo- 
then 


CHAPTER 


JAMES    MANNERS.  83 


CHAPTER  VIII, 

ON  James's  coming  abroad  again 
he  appeared  to  be  more  ferious 
than  ufual,  and  his  firft  requeft  to 
his  father  was,  that  he  would  pur- 
chafe  Bluff  from  Farmer  Giles ; 
which  was  accordingly  done:  an 
aftion  that  proved,  if  he  was  im- 
prudent, at  leaft  he  was  not  un- 
grateful. 

Bluff  was  now  the  univerfal  fa- 
vourite; but,  to  his  credit  be  it  fpo- 
ken,  he  bore  his  elevation  with  be- 
coming humility,  behaving  with 
his  ufual  kindnefs  and  familiarity 
to  all  his  old  acquaintance. 

Some 


84  JAMES    MANNERS. 

Some  time  after  a  confiderable 
farm  became  untenanted  on  Sir 
James's  eftate;  and  James,  to  whom 
his  father  could  refufe  nothing, 
entreated  him  to  grant  a  leafe  JLO 
Richard  Sutton — "But  for  John, 
Sir,"  —  faid  he  —  "  I  had  never 
known  Bluff,  and  then,  in  all  pro- 
bability, fhould  have  been  in  my 
grave."  Richard  Sutton  was  ac- 
cordingly fent  for,  who  received 
the  propofal  with  gratitude,  and,  in 
a  (hort  time,  took  up  his  refidence 
on  his  new  farm. 

Nothing  material  happened  for 
feven  years,  during  which  time 
James  and  John  were  advanced  to- 
wards manhood :  John  was  ac- 
counted one  of  the  moft  induftri- 

ous 


b 


JAMES    MANNERS.  85 

ous  and  well-informed  lads  in  the 
village.  James's  charafter,  though 
marked  with  generofity  and  huma- 
nity, was  not  fo  irreproachable. 
Young  as  he  was,  he  frequently 
drank  more  than  was  becoming. 
His  love  of  gaming  increafed  with 
his  years,  and  he  had  even  been 
known  to  be  mean  enough,  when 
he  could  procure  no  other  com- 
pany, to  play  at  different  games 
with  his  own  fervants;  a  conduft 
that  confiderably  debafed  him  in 
their  eyes. 

Had  Captain  Manners'  advice 
been  followed  in  engaging  a  pro- 
per tutor  for  James,  this  mifcon- 
du6t  would  have  been  avoided,  as 
he  would  then  have  had  u  check 
i  upon 


85  JAMES    MANNERS. 

upon  his  behaviour;  and  when 
youth  are  accuftomed  to  aft  regu- 
larly and  with  propriety  for  a 
courfe  of  years,  it  becomes  habi- 
tual, and  pleafant.  It  is  true  J?e 
had  proper  maflers,  who  fulfilled 
their  duty  in  their  refpeftive  de- 
partments, yet  their  care  conclud- 
ed with  their  leflbns,  fo  that  he  was 
uncontrolled,  and  direftor  of  the 
greater  part  of  his  time.  To  com- 
plete his  misfortunes,  his  father 
died  when  he  was  about  feventeen, 
and  he  had  then  unlimited  power 
over  his  weak  mother's  purfe ;  fo 
that  he  now  conceived  himfelf  fuf- 
ficiently  entitled  to  aft  as  he  faw 
all  the  diffipated  young  men  in  the 
neighbourhood  do.  He  frequent- 
2  ed 


JAMES    MANNERS.  8/ 

ed  horfe-races,  broke  down  the 
farmers'  fences  in  hunting,  and 
made  wreftling  matches  among  the 
young  men  of  the  village,  which 
gained  him  the  appellation  of  a 
liearty  fellow  among  the  libertine 
part  ;  while  the  more  prudent 
termed  him  a  diflipated  young  man, 
who  fet  a  bad  example  to  his  infe- 
riors, and  who  would  ruin  his  con- 
flkution  with  intemperance,  and 
his  fortune  with  gambling,  before 
he  arrived  at  manhood. 

On  the  contrary,  John  was  the 
comfort  and  delight  of  his  father ; 
he  laboured  with  him  during  the 
day,  and  in  the  evening  ftudied 
with  the  greateft  afliduity  >  and, 
though  he  had  inftruftion  but  from 

books, 


88  JAMES    MANNERS. 

books,  diligence  and  attention  made 
up  the  deficiency.  Every  one  wifli- 
ed  their  fons  to  grow  up  like  John 
Sutton,  for  he  was  univerfally  be- 
loved, no  one  could  tax  him  with 
a  mean  a£lion ;  he  was  never  known 
to  have  expended  a  (hilling  in  ex- 
travagance or  folly,  nor  ever  re- 
membered to  withhold  one  where 
it  was  really  of  fervice.  His  purfe, 
it  is  true,  was  fcantily  furnifhed, 
but  then  it  was  well  managed,  fo 
that  it  was  fufficient  to  fupply  all 
his  wants. 

John  had  ever  fincerely  loved 
his  fofter-brother,  and  beheld  his 
condutl  with  a  concern  he  could 
not  always  conceal. — Sir  James 
did  not  want  difcernment,  and 

though 


JAMES    MANNERS.  §9 

though  John  did  not  take  the  li- 
berty to  diflent  from  his  young 
landlord  in  words,  his  behaviour 
was  a  tacit  reproof  for  his  con- 


CHAPTER 


9<D  JAMES    MANNERS. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

WlTH  little  variation  paffed  tr^e 
time,  until  Sir  James  reached  his 
twentieth  year,  when  Lady  Man- 
ners paid  the  debt  of  nature,  and 
left  her  fon  fole  heir  to  all  (he 
poffeffed.  The  gay  company  that 
poured  on  him  on  all  fides  foon 
diflipated  his  grief,  and  the  manor- 
houfe  became  a  continued  fcene  of 
riot. 

James  had  frequently  heard  from 
his  uncle,  who  had  now  been  a- 
broad  eleven  years,  had  made  a 
confiderable  fortune,  and  was  ex- 
pefted  home  in  a  year  or  two.  This 

intelli- 


JAMES    MANNERS.  9! 

intelligence  gave  him  no  concern; 
his  fortune  being  in  his  own  pow- 
er, and  he  relblved  not  to  be  under 
£ny  reftraint. 

•  One  afternoon  that  John  had 
been  at  a  neighbouring  fair,  to  fell 
cattle  for  his  father,  he  retired  to 
an  inn  to  receive  payment,  which 
was  fcarcely  concluded,  before  his 
attention  was  engaged  by  a  con- 
Terfation  between  the  landlord  and 
Iiis  wife. 

"  I  am  forry  from  my  heart — " 
faid  the  landlord,  "  for  the  young 
gentleman  is  in  liquor,  and  no 
match  for  thofe  fellows,  who,  I 
am  fure,  are  no  better  than  they 
fhould  be;  for  they  are  knavifh 
gamblers  at  every  race  and  fair foy. 

hundred 


92  JAMES    MANNERS. 

hundred  miles  around;  however, 
if  gentlemen  will  make  themfelves 
companions  for  {harpers,  they  muft 
take  the  confequences;  and  I'll  be 
bound  he'll  have  reafon  to  remera^ 
ber  this  evening's  work."  John  had 
feen  Sir  James  at  the  fair,  purchaf- 
ing  a  hunter,  and  had  no  doubt 
that  it  was  he  who  had  fallen  into 
fuch  bad  hands,  but  how  to  match 
him  from  them  he  knew  not ;  and 
remained  fome  time  in  deep  thought. 
"  It  is  my  duty,"  faid  he  to  him- 
felf,  "  at  leaft  to  try  to  fave  him ;  my 
dear  father  and  my  felf  owe  him  every 
thing,  and  I  am  determined  rather 
to  hazard  his  difpleafure  than  leave 
him  bereft,  as  he  is,  of  underftand- 
ing  with  liquor,  and  in  fuch  vil- 

lanous 


JAMES    MANNERS.  93 

lanous  company ;  at  all  events  he 
will  to-morrow  thank  me  for  my 
interference." 

He  then  fought  out  Sir  James's 
jfervant,  and  prevailed  on  him  to 
go  into  the  parlour,  and  prefent  his 
humble  refpefts  to  his  matter,  beg- 
ging to  fpeak  to  him  on  particular 
bufmefs. —  Sir  James,  was,  howe- 
ver, too  deeply  engaged  at  play  to 
heed  this  meiTage,  and  therefore 
replied,  "Let  him  call  on  me  to- 
morrow;— I  am  engaged  now." 

John  would  have  prevailed  on 
him  to  return,  and  fay  that  to- 
morrow would  be  too  late  ;  but 
the  fervant  refufed,  anfwering,  he 
knew  his  matter's  paffionate  temper 
too  well  to  venture,  as  he  would  in 


94  JAMES     MANNERS. 

all  probability  turn  him  away, 
fhould  he  take  that  liberty,  for  that 
he  already  appeared  foured  with 
lofing ;  therefore  defired  John,  if 
his  bufmefs  was  fo  very  urgent,  to 
go  in  himfelf,  for  he  dared  not. 

John  hefitated  for  a  moment; 
but  the  voice  of  Sir  James  in  a  loud 
key,  determined  him. 

"  I  muft  recover  my  laft  lofs,"— 
faid  he, — "I'll  play  you  for  five 
hundred  pounds." John,  con- 
vinced that  he  had  no  time  to  lofe, 
entered  without  ceremony,  and 
found  his  patron,  with  three  fel- 
lows, who  were  taking  every  ad- 
vantage of  his  fituation.  Bluff, 
who  was  lying  by  his  mailer's  fide, 
rofe  at  John's  entrance,  and  faluted 
**•  him 


JAMES    MANNERS,  95 

him  in  his  ufual  manner;  for  nei- 
ther the  comforts  of  Sir  James's 
houfe,  nor  old  age,  had  weakened 
Bluff's  friendfnip  from  his  old  play- 
fellow; but  John,  putting  him  afide, 
advanced  towards  Sir  James3  and 
fpoke  thus : 

"  My  refpecl  for  you,  Sir,  has 
ever  been  great,  but  my  duty  is 
flill  greater,  which  obliges  me  to 
inform  you  that  you  are  in  impro- 
per company,  who  take  an  advan- 
tage of  your  fituation  to  flrip  you 
of  your  money ;  permit  me  to  at- 
tend you  home,  and  excufe  the  li- 
berty I  have  taken." 

The  rage  of  Sir  James  at  this 
addrefs  exceeded  all  bounds  :  to  be 
rebuked  by  a.crpature  he  regarded 

fo 


g6  JAMES    MANNERS. 

fo  far  beneath  him,  furpafled  all  be- 
lief, and  in  a  peremptory  voice  bid 
him  begone,  and  never  more  dare 
appear  before  him. 

John  was,  however,  not  fo  eafily 
rebuffed. — "  I  cannot  leave  you 
thus,  Sir,"  faid  he  —  "to-morrow, 
command  what  you  pleafe,  I  will 
obey,  only  let  me  attend  you  home 
to-night." 

The  (harpers,  who  by  no  means 
liked  this  intrufion,  and  feared  that 
he  would  at  length  prevail,  now 
interfered,  and,  amidft  a  torrent  of 
abufe,  ordered  him  to  quit  the 
room,  or  they  would  pufh  him  out. 

61  I  will   not"  —  replied   he- 

"  Come,  Sir,  do  *ROt  let  me  fue  in 
vain;  your  happiiiefs  and  welfare 
•P*"  are 


JAMES    MANNERS.  QJ 

are  dear  to  me  as  my  own ;  take  up 
your  money,  and  let  us  be  gone." 
The  (harpers,  imagining  that  Sir 
James  began  to  waver,  and  being 
exafperated  at  the  thought  of  lof- 
^ir\g  their  prey,  attempted  to  force 
John'  out  of  the  room  ;  but  tem- 
perance and  exercife  had  made  him 
ftrong,  and  he  might,  perhaps,  have 
been  a  match  for  them,  had  he  not 
even  met  a  fecond,  more  powerful 
than  himfelf ;  for  Bluff  no  fooner 
faw  his  old  friend  attacked,  than, 
regardlefs  of  the  party  being  his 
mailer's  aflbciates,  he  laid  about  him 
with  fuch  fuccefs,  that  J^e  had  one 
on  the  ground  in  a  moment,  and 
held  a  fecond  by  the  throat;  for  as 
long  as  Bluff  faw  John  in  danger, 
K  his 


9&  JAMES    MANNERS. 

liis  m  after 's  commands  for  him  to 
defifi  were  unavailing. 

The  (harpers,  thus  completely 
overpowered,  were  glad  to  make 
peace  on  any  terms,  and  promifed 
if  John  would  releafe  them  from 
the  dog,  to  be  gone  about  their  bu- 
finefs.  The  pride  of  Sir  James  had 
never  before  been  fo  completely 
humbled;  but  though  he  felt  the 
friendship  of  John  had  alone  caufed 
his  interference,  and  that  he  had 
already  loft  a  considerable  fum,  he 
was  amamed  to  own  himfelf  in  the 
wrong,  or  obliged  to  one  fo  much 
beneath  him ;  he  therefore  chid 
John  fevere-ly,  threatened  him  with 
his  lading  difpleafure,  and  bade 
him  begone. 

Bluff, 


JAMES    MANNERS.  99 

Bluff,  who,  it  has  been  before  ob- 
ferved,  was  feldom  improperly  e- 
lated  by  doing  a  good  aftion,  feem- 
ed,  contrary  to  his  ufual  cuftom, 
confciousofthis;  for,  feeing  John  in 
fafety,  he  jumped  on  his  matter,  as 
if  to  court  his  approbation ;  but 
Sir  James,  whofe  temper  was  four- 
ed  with  what  had  paffed,  and  vexed 
with  having  in  vain  called  off  the 
dog,  gave  him  a  violent  kick,  fay- 
ing,— "Get  out,  follow  thofe  you 
obey  fooner  than  me,  or  I'll  {hoot 
you  through  the  head.3' 

Bluff  did  not  return  this  infult, 
as  he  did  the  firft  he  received  from 
Sir  James;  he  was  then  a  ftranger, 
and  it  infpired  onjy  anger  and  con- 
tempt; the  blow  was.  now  given 

by 


10O  JAMES    MANNERS. 

by  a  friend,  and  ftruck  more  deep- 
ly, for  he  flunk  his  tail,  and  raifing 
his  fhaggy  head,  looked  piteoufly 
in  his  matter's  face,  in  a  manner 
that  a  feeling  heart  might  have  in- 
terpreted in  thefe  words:  "  Have 
I  deferved  this  from  you  ?  " 

Sir  James  was,  however,  at  this 
moment,  proof  againft  it,  for  he  re- 
peated his  threat  more  vociferoufly 
than  before;  alfohis  command  for 
John  to  quit  his  prefencc. 

"  Come  along,  Bluff;"  faid  John, 
fearful  that  in  the  frenzy  of  the  mo- 
ment, he  mould  put  his  threat  in 
execution ;  "  if  we  have  offended, 
we  have  done  our  duty,  and  the 
confcioufnefs  of  that  is  not  to  be 
obliterated  by  angc.r — I  doubt  not, 

Sir," 


JAMES    MANNERS.  1Q1 

Sir,"  added  he,  addreffing  Sir  James, 
"  but  on  refleftion  you  will  excufe 
the  liberty  I  have  taken,  and  fee  my 
conducl  in  its  proper  light,  that  of 
a  faithful,  though  humble  friend." 

With  thefe  words  John  left  him, 
and  recommending  him  to  the  care 
of  his  fervant,  mounted  his  horfe, 
and  took  the  way  home,  accompa- 
nied by  Bluff. 

On  John's  return,  he  related  to 
his  father  what  had  pafled,  faying, 
he  feared  they  (hould,  in  confe- 
quence,  meet  Sir  James's  difplca- 
fure. 

"  If  we  do,"— faid  Richard,— 
"  we  muft  bear  it,  my  boy;  you 
a6led  right ;  he  has  been  a  good 
friend  to  us,  ao<J  if  you  had  flood 

M  3  by 


1O2  JAMES    MANNERS. 

by  and  fuffered  him  to  be  plun- 
dered, you  were  unworthy  to  be 
prefent.  As  for  Bluff,  he,  to  be 
fure,  deferved  better  from  him; 
however,  he  {hall  never  want  a 
meal,  nor  a  clean  trufs  of  ftraw, 
while  I  have  one ;  but  I  fancy  his 
matter  will  be  glad  to  recal  him 
to-morrow,  when  he  comes  to  his 
fenfes." 


CHAPTER 


JAMES    MANNERS.  1O3 


CHAPTER  X* 

ICHARD  SUTTON  was  right  in 
his  conjefture  that  Sir  James  would 
be  glad  on  the  morrow  to  recal 
Bluff;  but  his  pride  and  fhame  with- 
held him  from  declaring  it.  His 
head  was  now  clear,  and  he  recol- 
lefted  many  circumflances  that 
proved  his  late  companions  to  be 
villains.  He  had  not  only  loft  a 
large  fum  of  money,  but  had  been 
pilfered  of  his  watch ;  and  but  for 
the  interference  of  John,  his  lofs 
had  doubtlefs  been  much  greater. 
—"Poor  Bluff!"  faid  he,— as  he 
refle&ed  on  the.Jpufinefs,  "-T'owed 
4f  .  thee 


1O4  JAMES    MANNERS. 

thee  my  life,  and  in  return  I  have 
caft  thee  off  in  thy  age. — John  too 
I  am  fure  loves  me,  but  he  fhould 
have  recolle&ed  the  difference  be- 
tween us,  and  not  have  taken  fuch 
unwarrantable  liberties/' 

Soon  after  this  Sir  James  fet  off 
for  London,  without  deigning, 
however,  to  take  the  leaft  notice  of 
his  old  friends.  Young,  and  with- 
out a  guide,  naturally  fond  of  plea- 
fure  and  elegance,  he  was  foon 
pointed  out  to  be  plundered  by  the 
gamblers  that  infefted  it.  Neither 
John  nor  Bluff  were  at  hand;  and 
after  loiing  large  fums,  he  at  length 
determined  to  venture  his  efiate  to 
regain  them,  and  in  a  moment  of 
infatuation  ventured  all,  and  loft  it. 

What 


JAMES    MANNERS.  165 

What  a  fcene  of  horror  now  pre- 
fented  itfelf! — awakened  to  reflec- 
tion by  the  weight  of  his  lofs,  he 
was  for  fome  hours  deprived  of 
^afon,  on  the  recovery  of  which 
he  was  waited  on  by  one  of  his 
deftroyers,  for  a  conveyance  of  his 
property,,  which  with  a  heavy  heart, 
he  gave;  faying,  in  a  few  days,  he 
would  be  in  the  country  to  take  a- 
way  fome  papers,  of  no  value  but 
to  himfelf. 

A  fhort  fpace  after  this,  thefe 
fellows  arrived,  who  took  poflef- 
fion  of  the  eftate;  a  fight  which 
had  nearly  broken  John  Button's 
heart  —  "  O,  my  dear  mafter ! "  — 
exclaimed  he, — "ftiat  I  did  but 
know  where  to  find  him ;  he 

fhould 


1OO  JAMES    MANNERS. 

fiiould  at  leaft  fee  he  had  one  to 
comfort  him  in  his  diflrefs;  but 
my  wiflies  are  vain,  I  (hall  never  fee 
him  more ;  he  will  never  know  how 
much  I  loved  him." 

All  the  old  fervants  were  turned 
out;  the  farmers,  who  had  not  long 
leafes,  were  told  their  rents  mould 
be  raifed,  or  they  mufl  quit.  A^ 
for  Sutton,  he  was  not  in  their 
power,  as  he  had  fortunately  twelve 
years  to  come  of  his  leafe.  Such 
was  the  fituation  of  affairs  at  the 
village,  when  Sir  James  came,  as  he 
had  mentioned,  for  his  papers ;  but, 
afhamed  to  appear  after  his  folly, 
he  only  entered  the  village  in  the 
evening,  unable  to  bear  the  thoughts 
of  being  feen  by  any  of  his  former 
tenants,  particularly  by  John. 

Sir 


JAMES    MANNERS.  107 

Sir  James,  with  a  heavy  heart, 
took  his  papers,  and  alfo  fome  that 
appertained  to  his  mother,  among 
which  he  found  a  few  rings,  and 
fome  other  jewels  of  fmall  value, 
ttiat  he  had  before  difregarded,  but 
which  now  Were  all  his  wealth. 

By  this  time  it  was  very  late,  and 
tjhe  night  uncommonly  tempeftu- 
ous;  having  now  neither  carriage 
nor  horfe  of  his  own,  he  came  in 
the  ftage  to  the  market-town,  which 
was  at  the  diftance  of  eight  miles, 
from  whence  he  had  walked.  This 
length  of  way  he  had  to  return. 
His  lofs  had  before  hung  heavy  on 
his  fpirits,  but  the  fight  of  a  place, 
of  which  he  was  puce  mafter,  but 
where  now  he  cojald  not  command 

a  night's 


1O8  JAMES    MANNERS, 

a  night's  lodging,  cut  him  to  the 
heart: — his  eyes  overflowed  with 
tears.  The  night  was  dark,  except 
at  intervals,  when  illumined  by 
dreadful  flafhes  of  lightning. 

What  a  fituation  for  a  man  wh*o 
had  ever  been  accuflorned  to  in- 
dulgence! "  O,  my  beloved  pa- 
rents,"— exclaimed  he  —  "  could 
you  have  forefeen  this,  you  furely 
would  have  rooted  out  in  my  child- 
hood all  thofe  pernicious  feeds  of 
vice^  that  have  firengthened  with 
time,  and  at  length  wrought  my 
ruin! — But  how  dare  I  accufe  any 
butmyfelf?  have  I  not  erred  againft 
my  own  judgment,  and  ccnfcience, 
which  continually  whifpered/ Stop, 
James,  before  it  be  too  late?' — Alas ! 

3  'tis 


JAMES    MANNERS.  log 

'tis  now  alPover." — As  he  fpoke, 
the  excefs  of  his  grief  overpowered 
him,  and  he  funk  on  the  earth. 

The  tempeft  began  at  length  to 
iubfide,  and  he  thought  he  heard 
the  found  of  a  horfe's  feet.  "  For 
what  do  I  liften  !"  faid  he  to  him- 
v \felf :  "  I  have  no  one  to  bring  me 
iuccour!  death  alone  can  end  my 
miferies! — Too  late  I  feel  that  I 
deferve  what  has  happened,  and 
blefs  thofe  that  would,  if  poffible, 
have  faved  me."-— 

The  horfeman  approached,  and 
flopped  at  a'fhort  diftance,  to  faft- 
en  the  girt  of  his  faddle ;  but  the 
night  being  too  dark  to  diftinguifh 
gbjetls,  neither  party  could  fee  the 
pther. 

A  A  loud 


11O  JAMES    MANNERS. 

A  loud  bark,  which  he  inflantly 
tecognized  for  Bluff's,  and  a  mo- 
ment after  it  was  anfwered  by  a 
voice,  which  increafed  his  diftrefs, 
for  he  knew  it  to  proceed  fron%^ 
John. 

"Poor  Bluff!"  faid  John,  "we 
have,  indeed,  had  a  fruitlefs  er-  ' 
rand ;  I  wifh  it  had  been  otherwife, 
—You,  however,  had  no  bufinefs 
to  follow  me  in  fuch  a  bad  night ; 
and,  in  future,  I'll  fhut  you  up, 
when  I  don't  wifh  for  your  com- 
pany.— I  would  not  willingly  have 
taken  my  enemy's  dog  out  on  fuch 
a  night,  much  lefs  you,  whom  I 
doubly  love,  not  only  for  your 
own,  but  your  poor  ruined  mailer's 
fake." 

£  John 


JAMES    MANNERS.  Hi 

John  now  fet  off  on  a  fmart  trot, 
leaving  Sir  James,  whofe  anguifh 
was  redoubled  by  hearing  this  af- 
feftionate  fpeech.  Bluff,  however, 
knew  his  old  matter,  notwithftand- 
ing  the  darknefs,  for  fmelling  up  to 
him,  he  licked  his  face,  and  again 
\barked  aloud — then  licked  the 
hands  that  held  him,  and  barked 
again. — A  moment  after  a  loud 
whittle  was  heard,  and  John's  voice, 
at  fome  diftance,  calling,  "  Bluff! 
Bluff!" 

Bluff  did  not  attempt  to  ftir,  but 
more  loudly  barked.  John  having 
called  repeatedly,  without  effeft, 
returned  to  the  fpot,  furmifing  that 
the  dog  had  found  fome  flray  ani- 
mal, which  had  been  hurt,  or, 

per- 


412  JAMES    MANNERS. 

perhaps,  killed  by  the  ftorm :  dif- 
mounting,  therefore,  at  fome  few 
yards  diftance,  he  led  his  horfe  to 
the  fpot. 

What  were  the   feelings  of  Sir— 
James   at   that  moment! — gladly 
would   he,   if  poflible,  have  con-  ) 
cealed  himfelf,  but  a  faint  flafn  of 
lightning,  at  that  moment,  (hewed 
John  his  fofter-brother's  face;  the 
bridle  dropped  from  his  hand,  and 
he  threw  himfelf  on  the  ground  be- 
fide  him. 

"Oh!  my  dear,  my  honoured 
matter!"  exclaimed  he,  "forgive 
me,  if  ever  I  offended  you,  and  con- 
defcend  to  take  (helter  this  dread*, 
ful  night  under  our  humble  roof." 

Sir  James  could  not  fpeak,  but 

bending. 


JAMES     MANNERS.  113 

bending  forward,  fainted  in  the  - 
embrace  of  his  friend.  "Oh!  he 
will  die  before  I  can  procure  him 
affiftance!"  exclaimed  John;  then 
raifed  him  from  the  ground,  plac- 
ed him  on  his  horfe  before  him, 
and  fet  off  homeward  with  a  gentle 
pace. 

The  motion  of  the  horfe  foon 
brought  Sir  James  to  his  recollec- 
tion, but  grief  and  fhame  kept  him 
filent. 

On  their  arrival,  John  attended 
him  as  if  he  had  ftill  been  in  pof- 
feflion  of  his  wealth. 

"Oh,  John!'*  faid  Sir  James, 
"how  can  you  behave  thus  to  a 
man  who  has  treated  you  fo  ill?" 
— "  You  never  treated  rne  ill/*  re- 

^  ,-^A>   A       V^jt  3  turned  "r 

af. 


114  JAMES    MANNERS. 

turned  John :  "  to  you  and  yours 
we  owe  all  the  comfort  that  fur- 
rounds  us.     I  heard  of  your  re- 
ception at  the  manor-houfe  from 
poor   old  William,  who  went   to    . 
fetch  his  clothes,  and  immediately 
fet  out  in  fearch  of  you,  but  had 
totally  given  you  up,  when  I  did  / 
not  find  you  at  the  town.     I  little ' 
thought  to  meet  you  on  my  return ; 
nor,  indeed,  mould  I,  had  it  not 
been  for  poor  Bluff!" 


'CHAPTER 


JAMES    MANNERS. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

JL  HE  cold  Sir  James  had  taken, 
added  to  i'ie  agitation  of  his  mind, 
brought  on  a  fever,  which  brought 
him  almoft  to  the  brink  of  the 

E 

grave.  This  interval  was  falutary, 
as  it  gave  him  time  to  refleft  on 
his  paft  follies,  and  determine  on 
fome  plan  for  the  future.  Neither 
Richard  Sutton,  his  wife,  nor  fon, 
could  bear  the  thought  of  his  re- 
moval, and  prefTed  him  warmly  to 
remain  with  them. 

"  No,  my  good  friends,"  replied 

he,  "  it  does  not  become  the  poor 

to  be  idle;  my  day-pf  vanity  is  paft, 

>  I  muft 


Il6  JAMES    MANNERS. 

I  muft  now  exert  myfelf  to  gain  a 
livelihood,  for  never  (hall  my  fol- 
lies be  a  tax  on  your  kindnefs. 
Thofe  few  jewels,  that  I  found 
among  my  papers,  and  which  I 
formerly  did  not  deem  worth  a 
thought,  are  now  my  whole  wealth, 
and  will,  I  hope,  with  economy/ 
maintain  me  until  I  can  place  my(- 
felf  in  fome  humble  fituation, 
where  the  world  may  forget,  and  I 
repent  of  my  imprudence." 

John  was,  however,  continually 
planning  fchemes  to  keep  him  in 
the  country,  and  at  length  propof- 
ed  the  following.  "  There  is," 
faid  he,  "  fome  land  now  to  let  in 
the  next  parifh  ;  and  if  you,  Sir, 
would  let  it  be  taken  for  you,  I 

am 


JAMES    MANNERS.  11J 

am  convinced  it  would  afford  you 
a  comfortable  living;  I  could  ma- 
nage it,  until  you  learned  the  me- 
thod, and  we  (hould  have  the  hap- 
pinefs  of  keeping  you  among  us.'1 

Sir  James  approved  of  the 
fcheme,  rather  than  being  again 
uhrown  into  the  world,  for  he  had 
now  learned  to  be  doubtful  of  him- 
felf,  and  wifhed  to  fhun  tempta- 
tion; but  his  pride  ftepped  in,  and, 
for  a  moment,  checked  the  idea. — 
"  Yet,"  faid  he,  as  he  refleded  on 
the  fubjeft,  "  which  is  the  great- 
eft  difgrace?  the  fquandering  my 
fortune  in  riot  and  profufion;  or 
my  honeftly  endeavouring  to  gain 
an  independent  maintenance.  My 
former  condfcft  was  a  far  greater 

fcandal 
1 


n8  JAMES  MANNERS. 

fcandal  on  my  rank,  than  cultivat- 
ing corn,  feeding  (beep,  or  felling 
hay;  I  will,  therefore,  conquer 
this  pride,  that  ill  becomes  me; 
and  if  I  difhonoured  my  former  fi- 
tuation,  I  will,  at  leaft,  endeavour 
to  credit  this." 

Thus  refolved,  to  the  great  joV 
of  John,  he  accepted  the  offer;  the 
land  was  taken,  and  the  jewels  he 
was  in  pofleflion  of,  fold  for  one 
hundred  pounds,  which  fupplied 
him  with  both  furniture  and  flock. 

On  this  little  eftate  was  a  com- 
fortable, though  fmall  houfe,  and 
Sir  James,  in  a  fhort  time,  became 
perfectly  reconciled  to  his  fitua- 
tion ;  from  the  receipt  of  many 
hundreds  a  year,  he  was  now  re- 
duced 


JAMES    MANNERS.  llg 

duced  to  labour  for  his  daily  bread, 
but  the  friendfhip  and  unwearied 
cares  of  John  rendered  his  labour 
light.  He  now  rofe  with  the  ear- 
lieft  dawn,  and  purfued,  with  di- 
ligence, the  means  of  continuing 
to  himfelf  fo  much  comfort ;  if  he 
lamented  his  former  profperity,  it 
was  when  he  had  it  not  in  his  pow- 
er to  aflift  the  diflreffed. 

So  true  it  is,  that  virtue  alone 
makes  us  refpeftable,  that  Sir 
James,  mafler  of  an  affluent  for- 
tune, and  every  elegance  that 
wealth  could  beftow,  had,  in  his 
days  of  riot  and  folly,  been  fhunned 
by  the  refpeciable  part  of  his  neigh- 
bours; now,  how  ftriking  was  the 
difference!  he  had  fcarcely  been, 

two 


12O  JAMES    MANNERS. 

two  years  in  his  little  farm,  till  his 
change  of  difpofition  procured  him 
univerfal  efteem ;  the  gentlemen 
round  the  country  treated  him  with 
refpeft,  and  even  offered  their  in- 
tereft,  if  he  chofe  to  endeavour  to 
better  his  fituation. 

He,  however,  fupported  himfelf 
totally  independent,  and  by  his 
good  behaviour  was  greatly  beloved 
by  the  labourers  he  employed,  who 
were  often  heard  to  declare,  that 
they  would  fooner  work  for  him, 
or  John  Sutton,  than  for  any  one 
in  the  neighbourhood,  even  though 
they  Ihould  have  lefs  pay. 


CHAPTER 


JAMES    MANN£RS. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THERE  was  a  circumflance  that 
frequently  hung  heavy  on  his  fpi- 
t  its,  and  that  was  the  return  of  his 
uncle,  who,  he  feared,  would  ne- 
ver pardon  his  imprudence.  "  I 
do  not  wifh,"  faid  he,  one  day,  to 
John  Sutton,  "  for  a  reconciliation 
with  my  uncle  on  pecuniary  mo- 
tives :  I  ever  loved  him ;  but  in 
childhood  my  mifconduft  made  me 
dread  him ;  that  has  now  ceafed, 
and  I  could  wifh  to  live  under  his 
eye  that,  at  leaft,  he  might  witnefs 
my  contrition. — But  I  dare  not  en- 
courage fuch  a  hope." 

-M-  Soon 


122  JAMES    MANNERS. 

Soon  after  this  converfation,  he 
received  the  news  of  his  uncle's  ar- 
rival in  London,  and  had  nearly 
relapfed  into  his  former  defpond- 
ence,  but  John  fet  out  immediate* 
ly  (unknown  to  him)  to  meet  Cap- 
tain Manners,  and  reprefented 
every  thing  in  the  rngft  favourable 
light. 

,v  Captain  Manners  was  not  a  little 
pleafed  to  hear  of  his  nephew's 
prefent  good  charafter  from  the 
moft  refpeftable  people  in  the  vi- 
cinity; and  when  they  met,  "If," 
faid  he,  "  you  were  mifled,  James, 
by  the  uncontrolled  power  of  too 
much  wealth,  at  leaft  you  have 
fupported  the  contrafl:  with  a  firm- 
nefs  that  does  you  credit.  If  your 

follies 


JAMES    MANNERS.  12$ 

follies  are  done  away,  fo  is  my  an- 
ger." Sir  James  was  now  at  the 
height  of  his  wifhes ;  he  had  his 
uncle's  pardon,  who  even  conde- 
fcended  for  awhile  to  take  up  his 
refidence  with  him. 

About  three   weeks  after  Cap* 
tain   Manners'  arrival,  a  ftranger, 
one  morning,  defired  particularly 
to  fpeak  with  him,  and,  on  being 
admitted,  after  fome  preliminaries, 
among   which  was   a   promife  of 
pardon  and  proteftion,  he  acknow- 
ledged himfelf  to  be  one  of  the 
perfons   concerned   in   plundering 
Sir  James  of  his  property,  which 
he  now  difcovered  was  done  by  the 
rnoft  unjuftifiable  means  ;  that  his 
companions,  rendered  bold  by  the 

long 


*«(.  JAMES    MANNERS. 

long  pofTeffion  they  had  maintain- 
ed, refufed  him  his  dare,  which 
had  driven  him  to  confefs  the  whole, 
and  throw  himfelf  on  the  mercy  of 
Sir  James  and  his  uncle. 

This  information  was  highly 
pleafing  to  Captain  Manners,  but 
he  did  not  venture  to  difclofe  it  to 
his  nephew,  fearful  of  a  difappoint- 
ment.  The  man  he  immediately 
took  before  a  magiflrate,  who  ad- 
mitted him  an  evidence.  The  reft 
were  apprehended,  and,  on  their 
examination,  every  thing  appeared 
fo  clear  againft  them,  that  the  ma- 
giflrate thought  fit  to  commit  them 
to  prifon,  and  did  not  fcruple  to  de- 
clare, that  Sir  James  flipuld  fpeedi- 
ily  be  reinftated  in  hi$  property. 

Sir 


JAMES    MANNERS.  125 

Sir  James,  however,  knew  no- 
thing of  the  bufmefs,  until  Captain 
Manners  returned,  who  faid,  after 
dinner,  to  his  nephew,  "  You  have 
borne  adverfity  well,  James;  how 
do  you  think  you  could  bear  a  fud- 
den  reverfe? 

"  I  had,  doubtlefs,  a  right,  Sir," 
replied  he,  "  to  bear,  with  refigna- 
tion,  the  fituation  to  which  my  own 
extravagance  and  folly  reduced 
roe;  for  a  reverfe,"  continued  he, 
"I  have  already  proved  that  I  am 
not  to  be  trufted  with  wealth,  and 
muft  confefs  I  (hould  almolt  dread 
the  temptation." 

"  The  man  that  is  diffident  of 

himfelf,"   returned  Captain'   Man- 

nersa  'Mirier  Jx>  be  trufted,  than 

V*  he 


126  JAMES    MANNERS. 

he  who  is  above  fear ;  a  confidence 
in  our  own  ftrength  frequently  be- 
trays us ;  and,  I  think,  I  may  ven- 
ture to  inform  you,  that  there  is  an 
expeftation  of  your  being  reinflat- 
ed  in  your  right,  which  if  it  fhould 
happen,  the  future  will,  I  hope, 
make  amends  for  the  paft." 

"  Ah!  Sir,"  replied  James,  "  how 
irreproachable  muft  that  conduft 
be,  that  can  banifh  the  memory  of 
the  pafl? — Your  goodnefs  may,  in- 
deed, prompt  you  to  forgive  me, 
but  can  the  world  forget  my  follies, 
or  can  they  ever  be  obliterated 
from  my  own  memory?" 

"  A  conftant  courfe  of  reflitude, 

my  dear  nephew,  will  conquer  eve* 

ijry  difadvantage ;  but  you  mujl  wifh 

to 


JAMES  M-ANNERS.  127 

to  learn  what  has  given  rife  to  thefe 
hopes,  and  I  will  fatisfy  you  with* 
out  referve." 

Captain  Manners  then  informed 
him,  what  the  man,  who  was  ad- 
mitted evidence  againft  the  reft, 
had  declared  to  the  magiftrate; 
that  the  cards  and  dice  with  which 
they  played,  were  all  prepared  for 
their  purpofe,  fo  that  they  could 
not  fail  to  win;  that  it  was  their 
common  pra&ice  to  look  out  for 
diflipated  young  men,  who  had 
jnore  money  than  experience,  and 
ftrip  them  of  their  property,  in 
which  they  never  failed  to  fucceed. 
•— "  Spare  me,  my  dear  Sir,"  inter* 
rrupted  Sir  James,  blulhing  deeply, 
"I  wasy indeed,  a  proper  mark^ 


128  JAMES     MANNERS. 

but  thefe  abominable  vices,  I  truft, 
will  never  more  fully  my  conducl ; 
nay,  I  folemnly  declare,  that  I 
would  prefer  the  humility  in  which 
I  now  live,  to  the  refuming  my 
eflate,  were  my  follies  to  be  re- 
fumed  with  it.  Never  did  I  know 
the  fweets  of  afting  uprightly  and 
innocently  till  I  dwelt  here;  and 
never  again  will  I  forfeit  the  blef- 
fing  of  an  approving  confidence." 

Captain  Manners  embraced  his 
nephew,  faying,  "  BlefTed,  indeed, 
is  he  who  never  ftrayed  from  the 
paths  of  reftitude,  but  no  lefs  fa- 
voured is  he,  who  is  flopped  in  the 
full  career  of  vice,  and  led  back 
to  virtue.  You  will  be,  I  doubt 
pot,  hereafter,  all  my  heart  can 

'  * 


JAMES    MANNERS.  129 

wifh."  The  Captain  then  related 
the  whole  bufinefs,  and,  in  the  af- 
ternoon, with  his  nephew,  attend- 
ed at  the  magiftrate's. 

On  the  fecond  examination  of 
the  gamblers,  every  circumftance 
that  could  tend  to  criminate  them, 
was  fo  clearly  laid  open,  that  they 
were  glad  to  entreat  the  mercy  of 
their  profecutors,  which  they,  con- 
trary to  the  wifh  of  the  magiftrate, 
were  willing  to  grant;  allowing  to 
each  a  fmall  fum  of  money,  on 
condition  of  their  leaving  England 
for  ever;  a  requifition  gladly  com- 
plied with,  as  they  feared  their  de- 
tention might  be  fpread  abroad,  and 
more  of  their  villanies  come  to 
light,  4 

r^r  CHAPTER 

" 


130  JAMES    M&NNERS, 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Sir  James,  with  his  uncle,  re- 
turned from  the  magiftrate's,  the 
latter  faid,  "  I  prefume  you  will 
give  your  tenants  an  entertainment 
on  this  fecond  accefiion  to  your  for- 
tune?"— "My  dear  Sir,"  replied 
Sir  James,  "  I  not  only  mean  to  do 
that,  but,  with  your  approbation, 
will  forgive  all  arrears  that  may  be 
due  to  the  eftate;  it  will  make 
thefe  poor  people  fome  compenfa- 
tion  for  the  oppreifion  they  may 
have  fuflained.  I  was  the  aggref- 
for,  and  alone  had  a  right  to  fuffer. 
Jt  is  only  living  more  prudently 
k  ^ 


JAMES     MANNERS.  J  3  1 

for  a  little  while,  and  I  can  well 
afford  to  make  them  this  amends." 

"  Our  difpofitions  will  now  afli- 
mulate/*  replied  Captain  Manners, 
"  and  I  muft  infift  on  bearing  my 
{hare  of  the  burthen:  ufe  my  pro- 
perty as  your  own."  Sir  James 
gratefully  thanked  his  uncle,  then 
added,  "  I  have  one  duty,  my  dear 
Sir,  to  fulfil,  without  which  I  can- 
not enter  my  own  houfe  with  fatis- 
faftion ;  it  is  to  call  on  Richard 
Sutton ;  will  you  favour  me  with 
your  company  ?" 

The  Captain  expreffed  his  ap- 
probation, and  with  his  nephew 
took  the  way  to  Sutton's  farm. 
The  honefhfamily,  having  heard 
the  $<tyfa$  with  exultation  ran  to 

meet* 

-  .  -  • ;    •  ^ 


132  JAMES    MANNERS. 

meet  their  landlord,  whom  they 
congratulated  with  unfeigned  plea- 
fure. 

"  My  good  friends,"  faid  Sir 
James,  "  I  know  not  how  I  can 
ever  make  you  amends  for  the  dif- 
interefted  kindnefs  you  have  {hewn 
me ;  the  debt  of  gratitude  can  ne- 
ver be  repaid,  but  my  pecuniary 
obligations  mud  be  difcharged;  I 
therefore  prefent  you  with  this 
farm,  and  the  land  appertaining  to 
it,  for  ever.  Nay,  no  thanks,  (for 
Richard  attempted  to  fpeak)  it 
{hall  be  as  I  fay." 

"  My  good  Sir,"  replied  John, 
his  eyes  overflowing  with  tears, 
"pardon  me,  but  your  fortune  is 
impaired,  and,  .at  leaft,  fta^r  until 

2  X 


JAMES    MANNERS.  133 

that  is  recruited  before  you  think 
of  us." 

"  Prudence,  John,"  returned  Sir 
James,  "and  a  little  of  your  afliflx 
ance,  will  fpeedily  make  good  all 
my  lofles.  I  mean  to  have  all  the 
wafte  land  on  my  eftate  cultivated  ; 
it  will  employ  the  poor,  and  at  the 
fame  time  enrich  myfelf." 

"  It  will,  indeed,  Sir;"  anfwered 
John,  "long  have  I  wifhed  to  fee 
that  done;  but  in  what  were  you 
pleafed  to  fay  I  could  be  of  fervice  ?" 

"  Did  you  not  manage  the  land, 
that  gave  me  bread  in  my  diftrefs  ?"• 
returned  he,  "  and  will  you  not 
oblige  me,  by  taking  on  you  the 
care  of  the  agricultural  part  of  my 


N  "Your. 


134  JAMES  MANNERS, 

"  Your  goodnefs,  Sir,  overpow- 
ers me,"  replied  John;  "with  the 
bleffing  of  Heaven,  I  will  do  my 
duty,  and  give  you  no  caufe  to  re- 
pent the  trufl  you  repofe  in  me." 

Captain  Manners  and  his  ne- 
phew then  took  leave  of  the  far- 
mer and  his  wife;  John,  at  their  de- 
fire,  accompanying  them  to  the 
manor-houfe.  As  they  left  the 
farmer's,  they  were  met  by  Bluff, 
who  received  his  old  mafter  with  as 
much  pleafure,  as  if  he  had  under- 
ftood  his  reverfe  of  fortune.  Bluff's 
carefles  were  not  a  jot  more  cere- 
monious than  when  he  found  him 
almoft  periihing  on  the  ground. 

"  And  thee,  my  honed  friend, 
Bluff,  I  muft  again  obtaia/  before 

\£an 

> 


JAMES    MANNERS.  135 

I  can  be  reconciled  to  myfelf,"  faid 
Sir  James,  patting  his  rough  back, 
"  never  more,  I  truft,  (hall  I  threat- 
en to  (hoot  thee  on  fuch  an  occa* 
fion." 

"My  dear  matter,"  interrupted 
John,  '•  why  will  you  recal  fubje&s 
that  ought  to  be  buried  in  obli- 
vion ?"  As  he  fpoke,  they  reached 
the  gate  of  the  manor-houfe;  the 
late  intruders  had  all  forfaken  it, 
and  Sir  James,  to  his  great  fatisfac- 
tion,  found  his  wifhes  anticipated, 
for  all  the  old  domeftics  were  wait- 
ing to  receive  him,  with  tears  of 
joy,  Captain  Manners  having  fent 
for  them.  He  {hook  each  by  the 
Jiand,  and  they  followed  him  into 
the  houfe,  where  every  thing  was 


136  JAMES    MANNERS. 

fo  fpeedily  arranged,  that  a  ftran- 
ger  would  hardly  have  fuppofed 
them  to  have  been  abfent. 

John  was  appointed  fteward  of 
the  eftate,  a  truft  that  he  perform* 
cd  with  profit  to  Sir  James,  and 
credit  to  himfelf;  for  though  he 
grew  rich,  it  was  with  honefty,  and 
by  the  bounty  of  his  mafler. 

Bluff,  with  the  familiarity  of  an 
old  acquaintance,  took  his  place 
by  the  parlour  fire  whenever  he 
pleafed,  and  lived  univerfally  ca- 
refled  to  a  very  advanced  age. 

It  now  only  remains  to  obferve, 
that  no  family  in  the  vicinity  was 
regulated  with  greater  prudence 
than  Sir  James's,  and  that  the 
whole  courfe  of  his  future  life  was 
exemplary. 


JAMES    MANNERS.  137 

exemplary.  He  was  a  comfort  to 
the  declining  age  of  his  uncle,  a  hu- 
mane mafter  to  his  domeftics,  and  a 
friend  to  the  poor. 

"  Happy  is  the  man  who,  in  the  time  of 
health  and  ftrength,  fees  and  reforms  the  er- 
rors of  his  ways ;  but  much  more  happy  he, 
who  has  no  paft  errors,  no  crimes  to  repent  of. 
How  unmixed  and  fincere  mull  his  joys  be!" 


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